XI. New
Hermione pressed a light kiss to Lavender's cheek, their fingers intertwined, hands clasped tight. She'd always known her parents to be rather liberal and forgiving with her, but she couldn't help but be a little nervous. After all, she'd never even brought home a boy before, and now she was bringing home a girl. An absolutely stunning, gorgeous girl, but a girl nonetheless. Lavender beams at her, holding her gaze with her striking eyes.
"It's going to be fine. They'll love me." She spoke so confidently, Hermione couldn't help but giggle and kiss her chastely on the lips.
"I think I'm supposed to be convincing you of that fact right now." She breathed, cheeks flushed slightly, like they always did when Lavender looked at her like she was in that moment.
"Well, judging from how hard you're holding my hand and how you keep stalling by kissing me, I would have to say that you're the nervous one. It's time for a bought of the Gryffindor courage." Before Hermione could hold her back, Lavender had pulled her hand away and stepped out of the car. She waited patiently while Hermione took a deep breath, calming herself as much as she could manage, hands gripping the steering wheel tight. It would be so easy to drive off right now, to take Lavender sightseeing and put off introducing her to her parents until much, much later. She knew Lavender was right, though. Her parents would love her, because everyone loved Lavender, in at least one way. Even if they didn't love her right away, they would learn to, because their daughter loved her more than anything in the world.
Hermione opened the car door, stepping out and finding herself next to Lavender, who was leaning against the door to the backseat. Her pale hair shined gold in the sunlight, her eyes narrowed in an adorable squint as a futile attempt to protect them from the bright summer light. Lavender extended a hand that Hermione accepted with fervor, pulling Lavender flush against her and kissing her deeply. She could feel Lavender giggle into her mouth, she'd always liked sudden public displays of affection. After an extended moment of passion, both girls pulled away with pink cheeks and the sudden inability to regain their breath. All Hermione's work to compose herself for her parents was lost, but she didn't mind one bit. With a slight thrust of her hips, Hermione pushed Lavender away from her and towards the front door of her parents home, their hands intertwined once more. Hermione opened the front door without knocking, like she always did.
"Mom, Dad?" Hermione called out, only to have them appear in the hallway a moment later, beaming at their only daughter. Hermione dropped Lavender's hand to give both her mother and her father proper hugs, only to step back and send a glance back at Lavender. Of course, she was smiling, still confident. Either that or she was smiling at Hermione's blush, she really couldn't tell. "Lavender, this is my mom and dad. Mom, dad, this is Lavender." They both smiled at Lavender, greeting her warmly, her dad shaking Lavender's hand and her mom giving her a brief hug.
"She's my…she's my girlfriend." The stutter was almost involuntary, because despite her parents' good moods, she couldn't fight off the attack of nervousness that struck her once more. All Lavender did was smile, and when Hermione finally forced herself to look up from the carpet at her parents, she could see they were still smiling, too.
"We know." Her mom spoke softly, eliciting a confused look that made her father chuckle lightly, in that way he always did when Hermione did something cute.
"We could see you two through the kitchen window." He explained, only making Hermione blush harder and look back at Lavender, who was embarrassed and playing it off well. "Why don't we move into the kitchen and get you two something to eat?"
"That sounds fantastic." Hermione replied. Her parents turned around, her father draping an arm across her mother's shoulders. She didn't miss the small grin he passed to her, and it made her heart swell. Lavender grasped her hand, leaning in close so her lips were nearly grazing her ear.
"See? I told you they would love me."
Hermione giggled, before leading Lavender into their quaint kitchen. For now, she vowed to enjoy iced tea and sandwiches with her parents, to be as open with them as she could manage. She vowed to revel in every second of Lavender's touch, to relish every embrace and savor every kiss. Even though she didn't dare speak it aloud, she knew war was coming. They all did.
But for now, she would enjoy her summer with Lavender.
To Be Continued.
