Disclaimer: Nothing that came from the books is mine.
Dinner that night was almost unbearable. Hermione was flawless, and it made watching a table full of teenaged boys eating even more unpleasant than usual. It was also hard for me to stop staring at her pink and perfect lips. My mind wasn't in my body, it was still in the water, with Hermione's body sliding close to mine in the lacy shadows cast by the leaves…
"Ginny!" Ron leaned across the table, waving a hand in front of my face.
"What?" I was pissed, and I didn't know why.
"Can you pass me the potatoes or not?"
I pushed the heavily laden dish across the table, watching him pile a large heap onto his plate.
"Excuse me, I've lost my appetite." My chair scraped against the floor and I was leaving before anyone could say a word, my bare feet hugging each of the steps that led to my room. I was coming undone, and I wasn't even sure what was going on. I buried my face in the pillow, praying the tears wouldn't leave my eyes red enough for anyone to notice.
After a moment of letting my body tremble with silent sobs, I felt a weight on the bed beside me.
"Ginny, are you okay?"
I sniffled, turning to face her.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Was it this afternoon? Ginny, I really didn't mean to push you into that and you have no idea how sorry I am if I rushed you into anything."
"No, this afternoon was fine." Better than fine, if I was honest with myself.
"Then what is it?"
Even if I'd known what the problem was, I wasn't sure I could talk about it, especially with Hermione of all people. "This afternoon just got me thinking… I don't think any boys even know I exist." I was afraid to tell her how little interest boys held for me at all.
"Believe me, they notice." Her smile was teasing but reassuring. I dreaded the start of term. Hermione and I would be in separate rooms once again, and I was terrified of losing the closeness that developed between us in the summer. I turned away, afraid to meet her eyes when I spoke next.
"Hermione?"
"What?"
"Do you think it's normal… I mean, did you like it too?"
"Like what?"
"You know… practicing."
"I think it's normal to like it. I mean, kissing is fun and you're my best friend and I care about you, so I don't think it's weird to like it when we practice."
I tried not to let the joy I felt at being referred to as her best friend distract me. "Yeah, you're right." The relief was clear in my voice.
"Ginny, you worry too much about what's normal. I think you're perfect just the way you are."
"Thanks." My cheeks burned red. How could I even take that compliment seriously from a girl as beautiful and poised as she was? I spent every day struggling to abolish the endless uncivilized, unfeminine habits that had washed over me after years of imitating my older brothers.
I rolled over to face her. The sunset blazing through the window painted everything a fiery orange. She smiled at me and before I could think about it I was brushing my fingers across her glowing cheek. I froze, unsure how she would react, but she just let her eyes drift shut for a moment before reaching up to brush away the last of my tears. I didn't mean to kiss her, but her touch drew me forward and she was leaning in and before I knew what was happening my tongue was dancing in her hot mouth, She wrapped her arms around me, closing the distance between our bodies. My heart raced as I reached slowly around her, feeling the warmth radiating from her bare shoulders and tracing the curve of her spine with my fingertips. She shuddered, pressing the softness of her body closer to mine. Her scent was incredible, coursing through me every time I drew in another hurried breath. She was as flushed as I was when we drew apart, hands lingering on one another's bodies.
"We should probably go back downstairs." Hermione murmured regretfully. "Harry and Ron wanted to follow me up here but I talked them out of it. They're probably anxious to know you're okay."
I nodded. I felt a bit confused, but overall, my mood had improved considerably. The sun was glowing red now. We found Harry and Ron in the back yard, watching Fred and George build a fire. We sat around it while the sky deepened to purple and faded into dark blue, stars gleaming brilliantly above the trees. We drank a great deal of Butterbeer, drawing closer to the fire as the night air grew cold, our voices growing louder and our laughter coming more easily with every passing hour.
I was quieter than usual, but I wasn't sad. I felt oddly peaceful and content, watching the warm light dancing in Hermione's dark eyes. The time passed quickly and before I knew it I was creeping up the stairs behind Hermione, doubled over with stifled giggles, praying we wouldn't wake my parents. I shut the door a little too loudly behind us and we fell into bed together, limbs tangling limply. I stared at her silhouette while my eyes adjusted to the darkness, enjoying the way moonlight fell across her skin.
As her eyes came into focus I realized she was looking at me too. The kiss was a little clumsy, but mush more fervent than those we had shared before. Her hands twisted in my hair and she pressed against me, sending a rush of excitement pulsing through my body. I stared at her, stunned, as she broke the kiss, then smiled at me and went to sleep.
