Hello everyone! I rather hoped I'd get this chapter up before the new year, but sadly things got in the way (personal things, university… gah.) Still, at least it's here now. Only a short one, but it's something and I'm happy with it. The next chapter ought to get the ball rolling again. I'd love to see some reviews – love you, all my readers! – Vivienne.
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The Second Floor Girl's Lavatory.
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Hermione hugged her knees and wept loudly, like a wounded animal. Her cried had frightened even Moaning Myrtle away for the evening, forcing the ghost to lurk in the U-bend of the stall furthest from that of Hermione. Sniffling, she pulled her legs further up onto the seat, and tried to forget the night's events. To forget how horny she felt. No, fuck that, how normal she had been made to feel by Malfoy. But if he'd discovered the truth (and he was damned close to doing so)… She dreaded the answer. Each possibility seemed worse than the last.
'' 'Mione, you in here? I got your message…'' Squeezing the Protean-charmed Sickle in her hand, Ginny walked slowly across the bathroom, listening silently at each cubicle door until she found Hermione. With a gentle push, the door fell open, and a crying, red-faced girl was revealed.
. . .
''So he came onto you?''
''Yeah… I mean, I… Oh God, Ginny, I wanted it. I do.'' The older girl sniffled, sitting with her head in Ginny's lap, the pair on a blanket laid on the floor. ''Malfoy, he made everything seem so nice, he really helped with the coursework and it was really useful. And then after all that, he was packing away and I think he must've caught me looking at him, because he started laying it on with a trowel…''
Both girls chuckled, and Hermione continued. ''Yeah, he laid it on a little thick, must have to for the other girls.'' Her heart sank. ''Yeah… But then he was also weirdly possessive, like he wanted to 'make' me his, said he's wanted to me for a long time. I don't think I believe it. It's so weird. Fuck… Gin, what do I do?''
''I think… Hmm. I think Malfoy is confused.''
''You think?''
Hermione gestured to her body, her eyes growing sadder still. ''I stopped him before he found out…''
''Ah. Well, that's a big issue for the pair of you to talk about. If he still likes you after, and believe me, I've seen how he hangs onto every word you say at times. Though he tries to keep that bulldog scowl up, his eyes definitely lighten up when you're around. And I've seen how you used to watch him during Quidditch, and when Ha… When Harry was still alive, he'd say you'd been staring at Malfoy or taking notes from what he'd said during classes so… Maybe there is something there? You just both need to find common ground.''
''Hm. I think… You're full of shit, Ginny Weasley!'' A head of bushy hair shook with unbridled laughter, joined quickly by the red streaks of Ginny's. ''No, I suppose you're right… And I do like him. I do. Even though Harry's not here anymore, and he really didn't like him-''
''-hated him-''
''-yes, well, anyway… I think perhaps it might work… Maybe. I just need to find a way to talk to him. To tell him. But how do you tell someone that, Gin? It's such a big deal. 'Hi, Draco, I'm sorry I didn't let you fuck me, but I'm not quite equipped for that just yet'?''
Ginny smirked. ''Well, if you think something like that would make sense…''
''Hmm.''
Hermione's bag was laying down behind the two Gryffindors, though unbeknownst to her, two items were absent from its roster.
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''There you are you bitch… Knew I'd find you. Of course, Ginny is with you, too. How could she not be? She follows you everywhere. Fuck.''
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''We should be getting back to the Tower. It's late… And I don't know if anyone's about.'' Hermione worried, giving her clothes one final brush-down and wiping her eyes, feeling only a smidgen better about her ordeal.
''Yeah, we should. I have the 'cloak, so that's less of a worry, and you have your pass, but even so… Wait, don't you still have the Marauder's Map?'' Ginny asked, throwing her lost lover's protection around her shoulders, waiting to invite Hermione underneath with her. ''I should do, it's in my bag… Or it was. Shit. I think it might've fallen out in the study room. Would you mind if we went to get it?''
''Not at all. Come on, 'mione, before someone hears us!''
Giggling, the two girls made their way out of the bathroom, and along the corridor, unaware of their follower and their observer.