A/n: Pretty long one here guys. Thank you for all the comments and kind words. Enjoy :)

Chapter 11

The weeks had turned colder, and the snow fell thicker and deeper on the grounds. November had quickly turned into December in a flurry of studying and end of term assessments. Homework had been laid on thick in every class, and moss students had been swamped. Storm had seen less and less of Hermione. They still spent each evening together, but the time was spent studying and working quietly. They always paused briefly, and each time they had they ended up wrapped up together. Cuddling and eventually snogging until one of them realised they had gotten distracted again.

It had been a while since they were able to take a walk, or spend any real time together. Storm for one, was more than happy it was finally time for the Christmas break. She was really looking forward to spending the time with Hermione,. They had both agreed to work forward, getting all the work set for the holidays out of the way. They had worked hard but managed it, and now Storm was packing away the last of her things. Fully dressed and ready to go down for breakfast before the train leaves.

She packed away the last of her books, and clipped her trunk shut. Dragging it to sit with the others in her dorm, sat waiting for the house elves to take them to the train. She grabbed her coat, and pushed her wand into her back pocket. With one final scan she deemed everything packed and ready to go. Her journey downstairs had begun. Her heavy boots thudding on the steps as she trudged down them.

Once again, Hermione was already waiting for her. Her and Ginny were sat in front of the fire, chatting away while they waited. "Good morning beautiful" She said happily, her voice light and airy as she approached the pair. "And Good morning Ginny" She finally spoke as she wrapped her arms around Hermione from behind the sofa, leaning herself over it.

"Someone seems chipper this morning?" Hermione quizzed with a raised brow.

"Yeh, you're normally no better than a gargoyle of a morning? What's got your boat afloat?" Ginny asked casually.

"Oh nothing, I'm just excited for the holidays is all. Do you both have everything all packed up and ready to go?" The shifter quizzed the pair, pressing a kiss to Hermione's cheek.

"Of course we do, we were packed last night along with most of the other students" Hermione laughed, shaking her head. She still couldn't believe the taller witch sometimes. She was rather lazy when it came to things, but leaving all the packing until the last minute was insane.

"Right, well I could eat a horse, breakfast awaits!" Storm stated, pulling her girlfriend up and out of the common room. Closely followed by Ginny. They began their journey down towards the great hall. Chatting idly about what they were expecting from the holidays.

-xx-

Breakfast passed quickly, the three had gotten down quite early considering. Which had left them with plenty of time to eat. "My Dad is meeting us at King's cross then he'll apparate is back home" Storm told Hermione before pushing more toast past her lips. Munching on it happily.

"Plenty of time to wander around then" Hermione smiled. Looking forward to being showed around Storm's new home. The younger witch had spoken about it a lot, seemingly pleased with the fact it was in the middle of nowhere. It made sense as to why the American liked space so much. More room to run around however she liked without being spotted.

"We'll have the house to ourselves for a while, and Arty won't be coming home tonight. Her and her work friends are going out or something like that" Storm beamed.

Ginny regarded the pair for a moment. Her eyes flicking between the two of them and how they interacted. It was strange to see Hermione so doe eyed over anyone but Ron, and even then she hadn't been half as smitten. She couldn't quite wait to see Ron's face when the pair meet, and he sees how Hermione was with the younger girl. Fireworks would fly in the colours of jealousy, that's for sure. That's if he clocks onto what's really going on without having to be told.

Choking startled the redhead from the confines of her own mind and she looked up to see Storm red faced and Hermione giggling something wild. "What did you do now?" She asked, raising a brow in the younger girls direction.

"She's an absolute accident waiting to happen, honestly. Storm you can't inhale your pumpkin juice" Hermione spoke causing the redhead to chortle. The brunettes hand was rubbing her girlfriends back in circles, waiting for the younger girl to calm down.

"I'm okay" Storm choked out, wheezing as she did. Dropping her head down onto the table with a heavy thud. "Pumpkin juice just tried to kill me is all" she grumbled. Pulling deep breaths into her lungs before letting them out again.

Hermione just shook her head, sharing a knowing look with the redhead watching the situation with a smirk. "I really don't know what I'm going to do with you" The brunette stated, dragging her fingers up and down Storm's back.

The American perked up at that, raising her head with a cheeky smile plastered to her lips. "Well if your asking I've got a few ideas" She stated, waggling her eyebrows as she did.

Hermione just scoffed, a mischievous grin tugging at her own lips. "You're unbelievable, I'll have you know when it comes to THAT I've got plenty idea's. Don't you worry your pretty little head" She stated. Crossing her arms across her chest, and fixing Storm with a look that dared her to challenge what she had said.

Storm seemed unable to form a sentence. Her mouth opening and closing a few times as she floundered. Lost, or bewildered Hermione couldn't quite tell. "But... " Storm grumbled, wide eyed. Looking to Ginny for any kind of help.

"I really don't want to know..." The youngest Weasley stated. Trying her hardest to keep the look of horror off her face. Clearly not happy with the thoughts of the fact her best friend might just not be as innocent as people think she is.

"Well I do!" Storm finally worked out, her cheeks flush and heated with a blush. "Why haven't you shared these ideas before?" She grumbled, poking her bottom lip out slightly.

"The best things come to those that wait" Hermione stated simply before standing up. "Now come on you two, the train will be leaving soon and I've got to make sure everyone getting on, gets on" The brunette smiled a wide smile.

The shifter stuffed a few more pieces of bacon into her mouth before standing. Offering her girlfriend her hand as she did. Hermione entwined their fingers together and beamed up at the taller girl who's cheeks had been puffed out as she chewed.

"You really needed those last few pieces of bacon?" Came Ginny's voice as they reached the end of the table and filtered out of the great hall.

Storm just nodded and smiled a closed lip smile. Smug with the fact she had gotten time to eat as much as she wanted to. The train ride up to the castle had been murder, she was sure her stomach was going to eat itself before she even got to Hogwarts.

-xx-

They had finally boarded the train, and found a compartment for the three of them. Joined by a few of the others on the Quidditch team. Conversations flowed, and when the train finally arrived at Kingscross Storm had deemed it a much better trip.

They were the last to get off the train, Hermione having to make sure everyone else had gotten off. Storm followed behind, wandering lazily after the brunette as she walked up and down the thin corridors of the train. Storm had told her father they would need to do the checks before they could leave. Ginny had gone ahead to meet Harry, as he was home for Christmas. He would be going back to the Burrow with her.

Once they were finished, they got off the train and grabbed their trunks. Which was an easy job considering they were the last two trunks left. Hermione smiled a wide smile up at the dark haired girl who had begun hefting both of them. Holding her hand up, she stopped Storm in her tracks. Pulling her wand from her pocket, Hermione shrunk down both of the trunks, and dropped them into her beaded bag.

"I was alright with that" Storm pouted, running a hand through her hair.

"I didn't want you to hurt yourself, you and I both know that's what would have happened. But thank you anyway" Hermione grinned, leaning up to press a kiss to Storm's lips.

"I might not have, I'm not that bad" The shifter grumbled, reaching down to take Hermione's hand in her own.

"Whatever you say" the brunette grinned, linking their fingers together. Her excitement oozing out of her as they walked on in search of Storm's father. Their hands swinging back and forth as they wandered along.

"Stormy!" Her father's voice boomed out from up ahead. Sure enough there he was, wandering towards them. Hands shoved deep into his pockets an air of nonchalance about him. It was strange, the pair even walked the same.

"Hi Dad" Storm grinned as they reached her father. Wrapping her arms around his waist she gave him a small squeeze.

"Hello Mr. Griffin" Hermione spoke as she was pulled into another large bear like hug.

"Hermione, none of that! It's Joe. How are you? Not killed Storm here yet I see, she must be on her best behaviour" He chuckled, nudging his daughter with his elbow.

"Right yes, Joe" She smiled warmly at the pair who were once again wearing matching grins. "She's been wonderful, no more severe injuries which is always a plus" She joked, shaking her head as she did.

"My my, that is an improvement! I wanted to thank you by the way. Storm told us that she was being well looked after, after the attack. She also said you took some particularly shocking news rather well. It means a lot to me, so thank you" He said seriously, his smirk dropping into a warm smile. His eyes bright as they shone with nothing more than gratitude alight behind his dark iris'.

"It was my pleasure, honestly. I wouldn't change her for the world" Hermione said honestly, giving the Shifter's hand a gentle squeeze as she looked between the pair.

"Right! Are we going then, I'm hungry" Storm broke the silence, rubbing her stomach with her free hand.

"You're always hungry" Her father commented, taking the words right out of Hermione's mouth. "But yes, we'll be off. Where are your trunks?" The man asked with a raised brow.

"In Hermione's bag, it's extendible" Storm stated as she began ushering the pair out of Kingscross. Each walking through the barrier with ease and into the main station.

"Oh right then, clever girl" Joe smiled a wide smile, looking around for somewhere more secluded to apparate the three.

"I'll be staying for a late lunch, and then must head back for work unfortunately. So you'll have the house to yourselves to settle into for a couple of hours" The elder Griffin stated, leading them out of the train station and down a small alley.

"That's alright" Storm smiled, putting her hand on her Father's shoulder. Motioning for Hermione to do the same, which she did without hesitation.

"Ready?" He asked once they both had a hold of him.

"Ready" They spoke in stereo, and were immediately pushed and pulled twisting through space. With a soft pop they finally landed.

Hermione opened her eyes to take in her new found surroundings. She was stood in what seemed to be a rather large field, quite literally in the middle of nowhere.

She turned and took in more of the scenery, a large house sat about two hundred meters away. They appeared to be in it's back garden. She looked over to Storm who was smiling a small smile. "Ready to get inside? It's a little too chilly for a proper tour of outside right now" She asked sheepishly, her father already traipsing through the snow and towards their home.

"I think I agree" Hermione laughed, her breath plumbing out in front of her face. Storm just smiled at her. Holding her hand out for Hermione to take. When Hermione looked back Storms dad had vanished seemingly into thin air, leaving a rather large dog in his place. Trotting towards the house.

"Your dad too?" She asked with a small smile, giving Storms hand a squeeze.

"Just us two, Mom and Arty aren't." Storm said with a sad smile. Something Hermione hadn't seen before.

"What happened?" Hermione asked with a reassuring smile.

"He didn't tell my Mother what he was, she only found out after I was born. A bit of a shock when your hour old daughter shifts into a puppy. Didn't take it too well." She sighed.

That explained a lot, Hermione thought to herself. Her eyes fixed on Storm as they walked slowly towards the house.

"I think that's why she treats me the way she does, for a while she didn't know how to control me because I couldn't control it. Leaving most of it up to my dad while she focused on Artemis. It's okay, Dad and I have a really good bond because of it. It's just a little strained between her and I. But she cares, a little too much maybe" Storm laughed, shaking her head.

She flashed Hermione a lopsided grin. Showing her girlfriend she didn't really mind. But the brunette saw the sadness hidden behind her iris', for the first time she understood exactly why Storm was the way that she was. She now understood why she had kept being a shifter such a secret. Why she had kept it from her. Her cocksure and loud demesne had slipped, and in it's wake left an overly caring young woman, with something she felt she needed to prove.

Hermione stayed quiet, her smile was warm as she pulled Storm to a stop before they entered the house. The taller woman seemed confused for a moment, but that was soon eradicated when Hermione's arms wrapped around her neck. Storm sighed into the warmth of the embrace, burying her face into the crook of Hermione's neck. Her arms wrapping around the shorter girls waist to pull her as close as possible.

In that moment she knew Hermione knew. She knew there was no point in hiding it anymore, and she wasn't afraid. She would willingly let the brunette into every fibre of her being. Willingly give her every inch of her heart, because she saw, and she knew. Yet she was still there, willing and wanting to love Storm for her obscurity's. Which was something only her father had ever done.

Hermione's hands clutched at the material of Storm's jacket, pulling the younger girl as close as she could get her. Allowing everything that was Storm to overwhelm her senses. She felt an overwhelming urge to never let the taller girl go. Her heart swelled with nothing but love as she realised just how brave and strong the girl she was holding actually was.

"I really do love you, I have no doubts about it" Hermione whispered, feeling the need to reassure the Shifter that she wouldn't be going anywhere.

"I know, I love you too Hermione. You have no idea" She pulled back, wearing that lopsided grin.

"Oh, I think I've got an inkling" Hermione laughed, leaning up to kiss the tip of Storm's nose which had turned red from the cold. "Come on, it's freezing"

"Finee" Storm laughed, pulling the brunette towards the house.

As they passed through the threshold, Storm shut the back door behind them. Hermione was surprised to see the entire interior of the home was completely modern. The back door had lead straight into the kitchen, which was open plan and pretty big. An island sat in the middle, with pots and pans hung above it. Storm's father was stood by the stove, cooking something.

"Hermione, you don't mind grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup do you?" He asked over his shoulder.

"No not at all, that sounds lovely" She answered honestly, though she wasn't all that sure as to what a grilled cheese sandwich was.

She leaned over and pulled her snow boots off her feet, and placed them next to where Storm had put hers. Pulling her coat off next she placed it over Storm's larger one. Following the taller girl further into the kitchen.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" The younger witch asked as she put the kettle on to boil. It seemed not only was the house fairly modern, it had electricity as well. Which pleased the brunette to no end, and she found herself wondering if they had televisions.

"That would be lovely" Hermione spoke shyly. "Do you need any help?" She asked, feeling rather rude that the pair were basically catering for her.

"Not at all, have a seat" Joe pipped up, "we can manage" He smiled over his shoulder at her.

Hermione did as she was told, and took a seat at the island in the middle of the kitchen. Watching as her girlfriend worked on getting the tea made. "Hermione?" Came Storm's voice, laced with obvious curiosity.

"Hmm?" She hummed her response, waiting for the question.

"Do you like coffee?" She asked as she turned to set the mugs down on the island. One in front of the brunette and on in front of where she was going to sit. Moving back to fetch her father's mug and place it on the island on the opposite side.

"Not really no, a bit too strong for my liking" Hermione said honestly. "Do you like it?" She asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep" Storm smirked.

They were interrupted by plates being set down in front of them, followed by bowls. "Thanks Dad" Storm said brightly, pulling her grilled cheese in half and dunking one of the corners into the steaming soup.

"Thank you Joe" Hermione added politely. Following Storm's lead, she delicately pulled her sandwich in half. Watching as the melted cheese stretched and eventually snapped.

It seemed, it was a pan fried cheese sandwich. Nibbling on the corner she hummed appreciatively.

"This is really nice" she said, almost shocked.

"Have you never had it before?" Storm asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's not an English thing" Her father added with a smile as he sat opposite them.

"Oh, well I'm glad you like it then" Storm smiled a proud smile, liking the idea of already sharing parts of herself with Hermione.

-xx-

A little while later they found themselves trudging up the stairs. Hermione taking stock of the house and where things were. On the tour they had stopped in the living room. It was just as modern as the kitchen was, complete with television and video player. She stopped as she wandered past a photo that caught her eye. Two young girls, both smiling brightly at the camera. One with strikingly long jet wavey black hair, and dark eyes that could barely be seen under the mass of locks. Grinning a slightly holey grin, holding what looked to be a toy puppy dog. The other was obviously older, with long white blonde hair. She looked a lot like Storm's mother, and held herself with a more serious stance. Giving the camera a tight lipped smile, keeping an obvious distance from the younger of the two.

"Ah, that's Arty" Came Storm's voice from behind her. Arms wrapping around the smaller witch's waist.

"You guys look so different from each other" Hermione spoke quietly.

"We're pretty much opposites, she's very much my mothers daughter. I'm very much my fathers" Storm sighed.

"You look cute with all that hair" Hermione laughed.

"Oh yes, I've always been a bit scruffy" she smirked, shaking her head. "It got too much to try and control, so I just cut it off" She admitted with a small smile.

"It's nice now, you can see your eyes" The brunettes voice was quiet and soft, turning in the taller girls arms. "I like your eyes" She smiled a shy smile, a light blush tinting her cheeks.

"Why thank you, I do try!" Storm laughed, leaning forward to press a kiss to her girlfriends lips. "I like yours too" She said with a coy smile.

"Thank you" Hermione chuckled. "Right! The tour must go on?" She asked, nodding towards the rest of the stairs they had failed to get to.

"Oh right yeh! Not much left I'm afraid. The rest is just my little area" Storm smiled a wide smile. Tugging the brunette up the rest of the stairs and down a hallway. She stopped at a door, and pulled a set of keys from her pocket. Unlocking the door quickly, she pushed it open and motioned for Hermione to go first.

The brunette nodded her thanks and stepped into the space. Her eyes automatically widened when they took in the sight before her. The room was quite large, almost like a little apartment. What really surprised her was the fact that the largest wall was completely made of glass. The winter sun was streaming heavily through it, illuminating the rest of the room in completely natural night.

"Merlin" Hermione said under her breath, she hadn't noticed the window from outside. She'd ask about that later. Her eyes scanned the rest of the room, there were posters placed neatly on what looked like pure white walls. A larger bed placed in the middle of one wall, and a TV on a large stand on the other. Next to the TV was what looked like another door and next to the bed was another hallway.

"Well, this is just my bedroom. Nothing interesting really. My dad gave me free reign with how I wanted it to be. The window is enchanted, it keeps the heat in and doesn't get condensation on the inside, and you can't see it from the outside" She smiled warmly. "Have a look up stairs, I've been collecting everything up there with all the birthday and christmas money I ever got until I was old enough for a summer job." She explained, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Hermione looked to where the other corridor was and raised an eyebrow. Moving towards it, she noticed there were steps winding upwards to what she assumed was a loft. Her feet padded the steps as she started making her ascent. It wasn't long until she went through another doorway. The room she stepped out into wasn't much different to Storm's bedroom. There was a small torn up leather couch on one side of the room, and on one of the walls were four different guitars hung up. A bookshelf sat on one of the other walls, and on closer inspection, it contained nothing more than what looked like vinyls. Which would explained the old fashioned music player sat next to it.

Storm came up behind her, standing off to the side. "You really like music?" Hermione asked.

"I really like music" Storm said honestly.

"It must have taken a long time to collect all this" The brunette said with a shy smile.

"Years, and years. But it makes it better because I know I worked hard for it and saved hard for it. Makes it all the sweeter" Storm admitted, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. Really hoping Hermione didn't think she was a spoilt brat.

"That's lovely" Hermione smiled, wrapping her fingers around Storm's larger ones.

"Dad enchanted all this, he expanded the room downstairs and up here too. Thought I could use my own space. You know, during the holidays and such. My Mom doesn't like us shifting a lot, and if we go too long without it's like your muscles get so tight it's unbearable" Storm explained, motioning around her. "Gives me free reign without being moaned at"

"So, it hurts when you don't shift a lot?" The brunette quizzed, she hadn't realised there were physical implications of not shifting.

"Yeh" The dark haired witch said with a small smile.

"But at Hogwarts... What about now?" Hermione asked, studying the taller girl. Trying to figure out if she was in pain or uncomfortable at all.

"A little bit" Storm smiled sighing a deep sigh. "You know I don't mind right?" The shorter witch asked, wrapping her arms around Storm's neck.

"I know, don't worry about it though" The dark haired girl said genuinely. Wrapping her arms around Hermione's waist.

"I'm just making sure you know it doesn't make me uncomfortable is all" Hermione smiled a wide smile. Leaning up to press her lips to Storm's in a slow kiss.

-xx-

The day had been long and tiring. For the most part it was an eye opener for the brunette. She saw more of the woman Storm actually was. All her suspicions had been confirmed. The brunette found herself getting ready for bed, having told Storm she'd be back in a couple of minutes.

The younger witch had all but passed out wrapped around the older witch while watching the film, and Hermione had decided it was time for bed.

Putting her toiletries away, she pulled her robe around herself and exited the bathroom and back into Storm's bedroom. Her eyes fell on what seemed to be a rather large fluffy dog laying across the bed. "Hey, you need to at least move so I can get in" She said, standing and staring at the large animal who just stared back at her. She pulled her robe down and hung in on a small hook next to the bed.

"Come on Storm move, I don't care if you want to sleep like that but at least make some room" She scolded playfully. The dog raised it's head and crawled over to the edge, stretching out to sniff at her. Hermione just sighed, and scratched under the dog's chin for a few moments. Her eyes rolling on their own accord. When the dog seemed reluctant to move, she climbed into what space she could get. "Are you doing this on purpose? Really Storm. I'm tired" Hermione groaned, leaning forward to poke the dog's head.

"Doing what?" Came Storm's voice from the door.

Hermione's head snapped round to see the American stood there in a baggy t-shirt and a pair of briefs. She looked highly amused and was biting her lip. "I see you've met Dexter" She said trying not to let the laughter seep into her voice.

"I... I thought" Hermione stammered. Her face turning multiple shades of red as she looked between the dog who was staring at her and her girlfriend.

"Uh, nope I went to get ready for bed in the spare bathroom" Storm grinned. "Come on Dex, let Hermione get in bed properly, you go sleep in yours" The American spoke firmly, pointing out the door. The large dog stood up and bounced off the bed. His head coming to at least her hip if not taller. The dog stopped in front of the younger girl, and she smiled kneeling down to give him a cuddle before he left and by the sounds of it went downstairs.

"Sorry about that, I must have left the door open" Storm smirked still trying not to laugh at the evident shock on Hermione's face.

"So... You're not... What kind?" The brunette stuttered.

"Shifters can shift into any animal, but their shifts are the same for each animal. I can only shift into one breed of dog, and cat, I can't change them" Storm explained before shifting down into a dog that looked very similar to her Dexter.

Padding around a few times, she shifted back up. "I'm the same Breed as Dex but apparently that didn't have anything to do with why my dad got him for me" She laughed, flopping down onto her bed.

"Oh, I see... So a newfoundland then?" Hermione asked, regaining some of her composure.

"Yehp" Storm replied plainly, her arms wrapping around the shorter girl.

"A little bit of warning would have been nice" The brunette laughed, shaking her head. Apparently that's what she gets for dating a shifter.

"Sorry, I didn't think he'd be so illusive all day" Storm smirked, kissing Hermione's cheek.

"Well, now that I have you and room to myself I can sleep" Hermione joked, wiggling back into Storm's embrace. Enjoying the feel of the younger girls hot breath on the back of her neck. Her fingers gently trailing over Hermione's stomach absent mindedly. Hermione using Storm's other arm as a pillow.

It had become a easy habit to get into, and it's how they slept every time they got to spend the night together. It wasn't long until they had both fallen asleep, drifting into a contented slumber.