VI. Surrender
Lavender seemed oddly normal when they returned from the holiday break.
"How was your break, Hermione?" She asked, unpacking a few things from her trunk. Hermione couldn't help but give her an odd look. After all, she'd slipped such a nice gift into Hermione's things, how could she just act completely normal when she knew full well that she'd found it?
"It was wonderful, actually." She chose to answer in more detail than she usually would have. "I really needed the break from school, and just, everything in general." Silence fell between the girls as they busied themselves with unpacking. It wasn't altogether an awkward silence, but a tension hung in the air. The necklace was cold against Hermione's skin, despite the fact that she hadn't taken it off since she'd opened it. A blue spot had formed in the middle of the pendant, dashing Hermione's certainty on what kind of gem it was. She had come to the conclusion that the only way to know was to ask Lavender, but she wasn't quite ready to concede just yet. The silence persisted, until Hermione could hold back no longer.
"Lavender, what was the necklace about?" She blurted, all of a sudden, seemingly catching Lavender off guard. It was like she hadn't expected her to mention it. She took a moment to compile her thoughts before answering.
"Well, you seemed so anxious and in so much emotional pain lately, I thought something like that might help to clear your mind and help you feel better." Lavender spoke, and Hermione could've sworn that there was a light blush tinting her pale cheeks. Standing up straight, Hermione walked over to Lavender, who also stood. Hermione pulled the necklace out from under her shirt, and Lavender smiled slightly. "It's a type of quartz treated with a spell to draw out negative emotions that are fogging your mental vision. Usually, people who are super in to divination use it to clear their heads, but I see it's working just fine for you, too." Hermione's eyes took a glance at the stone, before focusing firmly on Lavender's.
"Thank you, Lavender. This was the most heartfelt gift that anyone got me this year…" It was the truth, she pretty much only got books from everyone else. It seemed that after knowing her for six years, they'd have realized that she didn't only spend her time reading, and actually enjoyed other things. Lavender followed up with a soft 'you're welcome,' before they fell into silence again. Tension was thick in the air, and it was then that Hermione realized just how close they were standing. Lavender's eyes didn't break their lock with Hermione's gaze, and she looked almost ashamed when she grew teary.
"And I just want you to know, that I'm breaking up with Ron as soon as I can, and that you don't have to be mad at me anymore and I'm sorry for making you feel bad. And I won't be upset if you go after him or anything, or bitter. I'm sorry!" Lavender began to ramble, tears rolling down her cheeks. Hermione found it funny that the tears she'd always found so annoying now looked cute and endearing. Softly, Hermione placed a hand on Lavender's cheek, brushing away the tear with her thumb.
"You're all quite daft, you know that?" Hermione's voice was hardly above a whisper as she spoke. Lavender said nothing, instead focused on Hermione with an intense, indescribable look in her eyes. Her lips were parted ever so slightly, her cheeks flushed a light pink. The tension clung tighter then ever, begging her to do something, to act, to for once in her life ignore what her mind said and just focus on how she felt. In that moment, what she felt couldn't have seemed more right.
One second, Hermione was leaning forward, and the next her lips were locked with Lavender's. The tension disappeared immediately, replaced by an unadulterated passion emanating from them both. Lavender wasn't thinking as she tangled her fingers in Hermione's curls, and Hermione wasn't thinking as she wrapped her arms around Lavender's waist, pulling her body as close as she could. For the first time that year, everything just seemed to fall into place. This was how she was supposed to feel, that elated, invincible feeling that she felt when Lavender pressed her lips against hers. To feel passion and lust, to be longed after and loved. That was what was meant for both her and Lavender, Hermione was sure of it.
In a moment of clarity during their kiss, both girls heard the door begin to open and quickly jumped apart. Hermione couldn't help but smile at Lavender's flushed cheeks and how she struggled to catch her breath. She herself didn't look much better, she could feel the heat on her cheeks and her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
"Hello, Parvati!" Lavender squeaked, speaking too fast. Parvati gave them both a confused look, but luckily, she didn't ask any questions. Both girls, finally starting to regain their composure, returned to unpacking. Hermione could still taste Lavender on her lips, an unknown fruit, sweet and smooth. She couldn't help but shoot a glance at the girl. Lavender had two fingers pressed to her lips, like she was reveling in what had just happened. Her gaze caught Hermione's and she smiled.
Hermione had never known surrender to be so easy.
To her surprise, Lavender hadn't, either.