Chapter 3
The rest of the day passed quite uneventfully after the horror they had witnessed in the hallway. Storm found herself lounging quite lazily in front of the fire in the common room that was almost entire devoid of people. Her long legs thrown up haphazardly on the table in front of the overstuffed couch she had grown quite accustomed to over the years. Her eyelids drooping significantly as she allowed the heat from the fire to soothe her aching body.
Ginny was sat on the floor beside her, scribbling away at a bit of parchment as she completed one of their assignments they had been given. There was very little to actually do at Hogwarts these days, and it seemed homework was a pretty decent way to pass the time. Between the sporadic crackle of the flame and the quiet sound of the redhead's quill scratching, Storm had all but dropped off into a light sleep. Or, what she had thought was a light sleep.
"Storm, you're snoring!" Ginny sniped then, sinking an elbow into the side of the taller witch's knee in an attempt to rouse her from her slumber causing the taller woman to startle awake.
"Go to bed if you're that tired" She grumbled again, light eyes flicking up from where they had been fixed to the parchment before her. Taking in the way her best friend seemed to jump out of her skin, sitting up quickly as she was startled by the sudden noise.
It took a moment for the dark haired witch to figure out exactly what had happened, dark eyes wild as they flicked around the area a little frantically. A fist moving to rub at tired eyes as she slouched once again after deciding there was no imminent danger. Her elbows meeting the tops of her knees as she grumbled quietly, a deep huff escaping her lips. Dark eyes finally settled on the redhead still watching her quite intensely. "I was not snoring" She muttered with a roll of her eyes, flopping back heavily into the plush cushions behind her with another exaggerated huff.
"You were, It's distracting" The redhead stated simply, moving to drop her quill down into the ink pot she had charmed not to spill. Grabbing her wand from where it had been discarded next to her on the floor in order to tidy up her things. She had struggled to focus on the task at hand for a good hour or so, and figured as the common room had emptied out significantly it was time to give it up for the night.
"Well, sorry. I'm exhausted." The younger witch started, her voice quiet as her eyes began to close again. Cheeks tinted pink from the heat of the fire warming the room so nicely. "I'm still tired from last night, you know being tortured and all is kind of draining" She quipped a little sarcastically, a breathy laugh escaping her lips as she shook her head against the cushions she was resting on.
Ginny seemed to smirk then, her lips tugged up on one side in a wry smile as she considered the other reason as to why her companion might be exhausted. Though, it had seemed to be just what was needed for them both to have the most solid sleep they'd gotten since being back at Hogwarts. "You weren't complaining about being tired last night" She quipped a little proudly, her tone laced entirely with teasing as she poked fun at her best friend.
Light hazel eyes watching as Storm's lips twisted up into her own grin, nothing short of smug as dark coal like eyes opened once more, sparkling as they flicked to meet the redheads own. A laugh pulling itself from her chest as she nodded in thought for a moment. "Sorry, did you want me to tell you I was tired before you jumped me or?" She teased, "Honestly, I still can't believe that actually happened" She added, an eyebrow raised as if daring Ginny to deny it.
Though she knew that wouldn't happen, obviously not. The redhead she called her best friend was bold, she was brave and she didn't do regrets. She did what she wanted, when she wanted and that was that. Storm knew nothing happened that Ginny hadn't wanted to happen, though beside their short conversation that morning they hadn't really discussed it.
"Do you regret it? Now that you've had time to actually think about it?" Ginny questioned her then, a little seriously. The tone of her voice something Storm didn't really hear all that often. It surprised her a little to hear the question, and she figured she probably should have expected something.
She thought for a moment, dark eyes moving slowly across her best friend's delicate features. The way her jaw curved, the way her lips curled up into an unnervingly gentle smile. The way her eyes reflected the flame from the fire, the way she entirely reflected the flame from the fire. Ginny was a burning ember, a blazing flame. She was the embodiment of fire and Storm wondered for just a second if this situation would lead her to being burned.
"I don't regret it at all" Storm spoke honestly, her smirk returning to tug at her own lips as she watched her best friend visibly relax. Watched the tension disappear from her shoulders as the older woman made to move to flop down onto the overstuffed couch beside Storm herself. Little space left between them at all as Ginny pressed herself into Storm's side.
"I mean it was really unexpected and I was a little worried it'd be weird afterwards. But honestly, I wouldn't have complained if we'd have just stayed in bed and did that all day" She added with a laugh, shaking her head as she rubbed the back of her neck a little awkwardly. Moving to make room for the shorter woman as she flopped down into the couch. The proximity nothing new for the pair, physicality never absent in their relationship even before this point.
Though, they had never really even come close to crossing any kind of romantic line before. Their relationship strong, forged through the trials and tribulations Hogwarts threw at them over the years. But there had never been anything to suggest any sort of relationship beyond that of friendly would ensue. But here they were, hashing out exactly what had happened with only the fire as their witness.
The common room was empty, all the rest of the students now long since gone to bed. Their words were honest, no ulterior motives fuelling either of them. Storm was happy to navigate whatever this may or may not be with the redhead by her side. It was clear this wasn't a forever thing, but a short term vice to get them through some of the darkest days they've ever been through.
Sure, they had Neville and Luna. But they seemed to be quite content to pair off whenever they could. There had never been any confirmation of anything going on there, but Storm and Ginny had both had their suspicions. It left them feeling very isolated. They had the Quidditch team, but otherwise there wasn't really much except for the pair of them.
"You and me both" Ginny scoffed with a roll of her eyes, a coy smirk tugging at her lips as she watched Storm drop her head back onto the couch with a light thud. Her smile ever present, twisting her features up in a way the redhead was sure she hadn't seen at all so far this year. "I don't know why it happened, but I'm quite glad it did." She admitted then, taking the opportunity to move a little bit closer to Storm after briefly ensuring there was nobody left at all to watch them.
"So, when do we get to do it again?" Storm questioned, her smile morphing into something much more sly. Dark eyes much brighter as she seemed much more awake than she had been ten minutes ago. "Is it an anytime thing? Or do I need to be tortured to within an inch of my sanity for it to be a goer?" She added, her tone full of teasing as she nudged her best friend gently with her elbow. Waggling her eyebrows a little suggestively.
Her eye was still swollen and the bruise had come out to cast dark hues across her face. The laceration Ginny had tidied up for her the night before looking a little angry, and quite painful actually. A stark reminder of the state in which she had returned the night before.
"Though, I do find you much more attractive after a good torture session, I suppose it's really an anytime thing" Ginny answered after a moment of thought. She supposed there really wasn't any point in waiting for Storm to inevitably get herself into trouble again. The thought of it daunting, as she was sure there would be a detention the dark haired girl never actually came back from.
"I thought you said you were 'exhausted'?" Ginny quipped trying to think of something else, an eyebrow raised in question as she lent back to take in the look her best friend was giving her. Watching the way Storm seemed to be waiting for something. Noting then for the first time since they'd gotten out of bed that morning, that the dynamic had definitely changed. She had always been aware of how attractive Storm actually was, but more in a passing way.
She noticed now how sharp Storm's jaw was, how high her cheekbones were. How bright her smile was and how intense her stare seemed to be. She was much taller than most of the girls, standing at about six foot tall. Though, she was definitely not lanky. Muscles that were defined not only from quidditch, but her nightly jogs around the Great Lake were hidden well underneath her usually baggy clothes.
Short dark hair was curled at the top, longer strands curling around her ears and the back of her neck. Scruffy and hanging across her eyes at the front most of the time. The way her broad shoulder's squared whenever she wasn't happy about something. She wasn't pretty, she was handsome.
Strong muscles had held her tight, kept her safe tucked up against Storm's side all night. Naked bodies entwined as they had slept. The taller woman offering up not only her bunk but herself as a form of sanctuary so willingly, without question. The way her skin was so soft, and warm to the touch as Ginny had slid her fingers across tense stomach muscles once they'd settled finally after their activities.
There was definitely a whole new view of the woman sat so close to her. A whole new way of seeing this girl who she'd called her best friend for so many years. There was a tender side to her, a vulnerable side that not many ever really got to see, if anyone at all.
The way calloused hands had gripped her tightly, gently in the darkness. The way they had driven her mad and pulled her back again in a way she had never really known was possible. Of course, she was no stranger to physical intimacy with a partner, but she had never quite been held the way Storm had held her.
She loved Harry more than life itself, and she couldn't even really remember when that started. Though, she knew it wouldn't ever really end. But she loved Storm too, in a very different way. She loved the way Storm would put anything aside just to be there for her. She was sure there was nothing she could ask Storm for that she wouldn't go out of her way to do.
"Well, I'm awake now" The younger girl shrugged in a blasé way before moving to push herself from the sofa. Stretching her tired and aching limbs out as best as she could. Her entire body stiff from the remnants of the curse she had been subjected to once again. "I'm going for a shower anyway, I'll see you up there in a bit" She stated simply, a sly smirk tugging at her lips a little suggestively as she made to leave the redhead alone finally.
Ginny watching as she trudged up the steps much slower than usual, light hazel eyes trained on her back as she took one step at a time. A stark difference to how she normally bounded up them two or three at a go. "Was that an invitation?" She questioned boldly as she all but jumped up from her spot to follow her best friend up to their dorm.
"Do you want it to be an invitation?" Storm questioned, throwing a cocky glance over her shoulder. A crooked smirk taking her lips and morphing her features up as Ginny caught up to her easily, passing her on the stairs.
"Do you want me to want it to be an invitation?" The redhead fired back as she pushed the door to their dorm open quietly. Her voice dropping to nothing more than a whisper as they made their way into the darkened room.
"This could go on forever" Storm laughed then quietly, moving to pull her hoody up and over her shoulders. Leaving her in just a pair of jeans and a vest. Grabbing a towel from her trunk, she moved past the redhead who seemed to be watching her quite intensely. "Anyway, Since when did the great Ginny Weasley need an invitation?" Storm questioned seriously, an eyebrow raised in challenge.
Of course, she would definitely not say no to another encounter of the sort they had had the night before. The experience having opened up an entirely new door for the pair of them. Not only had she had the best nights sleep she'd had since starting back at Hogwarts, but she'd had her mind entirely wiped for a little while at least. There had been no thoughts of the hell they had been subjected to.
A bonus obviously was how attractive Ginny actually was. Visions of her fiery mane splayed out over Storm's own pillow the night before flickered across her mind's eye for most of the day. Images of naked, alabaster skin and flush cheeks, lips parted to allow pants and noises of pleasure to escape just for Storm's ears. Hazel eyes normally bright darkened impossibly by wave after wave of lust.
It had haunted Storm all day and had truly sufficed to keep her mind entirely occupied and away from whatever else was actually going on. The way the redhead was watching her so closely now was reminiscent of the previous night and it was taking all of Storm's willpower not to just drop everything and drag her into her bunk then and there.
Ginny's arms were folded across her chest, and a sly smirk had tugged its way across her lips. Her stare had begun to darken considerably, and Storm knew that only meant one thing. Her smile seemed to change then, as if she had finished deliberating on Storm's question.
A moment later she was reaching out and wrapping strong quidditch worked fingers in Storm's t-shirt. Bunching the fabric at the younger woman's bellybutton before tugging hard and dragging Storm along with her towards the Dorms bathroom. There only other companion in the room already tucked up with her own curtains drawn. None the wiser to any of the activities going on between the pair of them.
"I don't" Was all Storm got in the way of response as she followed hot on Ginny's heels as she was pulled behind the redhead. Ginny was confident in everything she did, and this was absolutely no exception.
As soon as the door was shut behind them, the redhead had spun on heel and given Storm very little time to react. Her wand was drawn and she was muttering a few quick silencing charms and locking spells to ensure their privacy before she was pressing herself up against Storm's own quidditch toned frame. The taller woman's back meeting the door behind her with a heavy thud as Ginny made quick work of capturing her bottom lip between her own pink ones.
Her hands moving to the hem of Storm's t-shirt to yank it upwards non too gently, dragging it up and off of broad shoulders. Storm catching her stride quickly, crushing their lips together as soon as her head was free from the fabric. Moving to grip tightly at the redhead's slim waist, her fingertips digging in just a little before dragging down to cup at pert butt cheeks. Pulling Ginny in as close as possible, their chests heaving in tandem as they fought for dominance.
Ginny caught Storm's bottom lip between her teeth, biting down gently before soothing it with her tongue. Her fingertips dragging themselves up the back of Storm's neck, sliding easily through short untidy hair in order to tug at the roots for just a moment. Soon Storm was pushing her away ever so slightly in an attempt to rid her from her own jumper and t-shirt all in one. Pushing the garments up just enough until Ginny took over to whip the fabric from her own body.
Storm's own hands making quick work of the button and zip of Ginny's jeans, their lips colliding as soon as the redhead had wrangled herself free. Their actions frantic and quick, as if they couldn't quite wait to get to the next part at all. As soon as Ginny took over, shoving the denim down alabaster skin Storm's hands had found her own belt buckle.
Making easy work of the rest of their clothing, closing the gap entirely between their bodies as they stumbled towards the shower stall nearest to them. Everything else left forgotten pooled in piles by the door that had been secured so quickly by the redhead herself. Heated skin soft and warm against heated skin, Storm's hands moving to pull the mane of flame away from Ginny's neck. Ducking down to drag her lips across sensitive skin under Ginny's ear. The redhead preoccupied just briefly with the taps on the wall, slamming a palm against one a second before hot water juddered to a start.
A low whimper escaped from between parted pink lips as Storm's hands dropped to squeeze at well rounded butt cheeks. Her palms meeting peachy flesh so enthusiastically as the redhead gripped the back of her neck in quiet command. Pulling her away from her neck and back to her lips. Flicking her tongue forward to skim across Storm's plump bottom lip for just a second before her own were wandering.
Pressing hot open mouthed kisses to Storm's sharp jaw, flicking her tongue out and across hot slick skin now damp from the spray of the shower. Finding Storm's earlobe quickly to pull into her mouth, sucking gently on it. She had quickly found last time that this was a big weakness for the younger woman, and true to form a quiet moan rumbled up the taller witch's chest, dripping from kiss bruised lips.
It seemed to snap things into action for Storm and the redhead noted a little smugly that one of the taller witch's hands was making it's way around to find the apex of Ginny's thighs. Her fingers questing, searching for the bundle of nerves that would have become so sensitive by now. Finding it quickly Storm drug the pads of her fingers over it, listening as the shorter witch sighed a deeply satisfied sigh. She figured Ginny already knew exactly how to get her to do what she wanted, and what buttons to press to really hurry the process along.
The redhead shuddered, her shoulders quaking a little as she moved to step slightly to give Storm a little bit more room to work. The taller witch already making quick work of winding the coil tight in Ginny's stomach. Her fingers circling a little slowly, a little teasingly. Her lips quirked up into a smug smirk.
Ginny pulled back, eyes hooded and darker than Storm had ever known them to be. Dark hazel eyes meeting Storm's, her own pupils blown impossibly under the dim light of the bathroom. The water cascading over their shoulders, dripping down bodies still pressed tightly together. Quiet noises of pleasure now flowing consistently over Ginny's lips.
Strong quidditch worked arms had been thrown over Storm's shoulders. The redhead's lips pressed to Storm's own plump ones, parted to allow for quiet moans to flow into the taller witch's mouth. It was impossible, each noise sending waves of liquid heat straight to Storm's core.
"Inside" Ginny muttered her command, her voice strong despite the slight huskiness that had taken her tone. Watching as Storm nodded almost frantically, quickly moving to find her entrance with the tips of two fingers. Pressing past strong walls, fluttering at the intrusion. Pressing her digits slowly into liquid heat, slick with excitement allowing her access so easily.
A low groan rumbled up Ginny's chest, and she dug her nails into the younger woman's shoulders. Steadying herself, using Storm's tense muscles and strong body to keep herself standing as waves of pleasure battered her. As her knees began to grow weaker as Storm started a quick rhythm, non too gently pulling her fingers out almost entirely before slamming them back into the depths of Ginny's core.
The tightness in her stomach growing, welling and becoming uncontrollable as it started to unravel. The coil snapping and spinning out of control as her orgasm washed over her with no warning at all. A quiet gasp and deep moan tumbling from her lips, swallowed almost entirely by Storm's own as the taller witch pressed their mouths together. Her fingers still moving within the shorter woman, dragging her climax out for as long as absolutely possible. Only stopping once the vice like grip had prevented any more movement at all.
Quiet pants were the only noise that filled the space, joined only by the rhythmic hum of the showers spray. Ginny had dropped her head to rest on Storm's strong shoulder, her warm breath tickling the sensitive skin just under Storm's jaw as she tried to calm her breathing. The way delicate features had twisted up with ecstasy not a moment before burned into Storm's mind. Her heart throbbing heavily in her chest as she too tried to catch her breath.
"Bloody hell" She whispered, finally coming back to reality. Her fingers still firmly wedged between the redheads legs. Gripped tightly within strong muscles still fluttering with the aftermath of her orgasm.
"You're good at that" Ginny muttered into Storm's neck, her voice muffled by slick skin. She almost sounded surprised, almost. "I always thought you were just being arrogant when you spoke about your previous conquests" She added with a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she pulled away to really regard her companion.
"Lovely vote of confidence there Red, thanks" Storm laughed then, moving to pin the redhead back against the tile of the shower stall. The ceramic warmed by the waters spray, slick with steam. "I never over-exaggerate when it comes to things that really matter" Storm smirked, her features twisting up with delight.
"Oh really? I find that quite hard to believe actually" Ginny teased a little arrogantly. "I mean, there is still definitely room for improvement" She added, watching as Storm's jaw dropped in shock for a moment. A laugh escaping her lips as she watched her best friend shake her head in disbelief.
"This isn't even a fraction of what I can do, besides after that comment I'm not really sure you're worthy of any more of this!" Storm stated simply as she regained her bearings, pushing herself off the wall and away from the redheads body. Putting more space between them than there had been since they had entered the confines of the Dorm's bathroom.
"Oh please, like you'll be able to go even a few days without now that we've done this" Ginny quipped. She knew she was right. They had definitely started something that would be quite difficult to stay away from. It was addictive, the feeling of being wanted. The feeling of being happy and sated, something they seldom found while confined within the walls of the castle.
"We can always see who gives in first? Make it a challenge?" Storm quizzed then as she stood beneath the spray of the shower. Running her hands through her damp hair to push it back and away from her features. As she spoke she wasn't entirely convinced that was something she truly wanted to actually do. Her dark eyes already roaming Ginny's naked frame, the redhead stood happily in all her glory.
"I mean, if you want to lose we could do that… what do I get when I win?" Ginny questioned, pushing Storm away from the spray of the shower so she could rinse herself off. Throwing a coy smirk over her shoulder as Storm huffed.
"You say that like you haven't been the one to start this twice now" Storm quipped easily, turning to wander from the shower stall. Leaving Ginny on her own for a moment in order to collect her things that had been left discarded haphazardly by the door. Drying off with the towel she had brought in with her.
Ginny paused as she considered the words her best friend had muttered. Storm did have a point, and she couldn't exactly deny that this had been more than enjoyable. Though, she wasn't quite finished with their evening. She had every intention to repay the favour, knowing Storm would never turn her down. Not now.
She shook her head then, unable to find it in her to be annoyed at the facts that had been presented to her. "Oh shut up" She shot back with a roll of her eyes, moving to shut the water off at the wall. "You can sleep in your own bed tonight if you carry on" She stated simply, grabbing her own towel from Storm in order to dry herself down.
"So, I guess that means we're sleeping in my bed again then?" Storm shot back, not missing a beat at all as she wrapped herself in her own towel. Leaning back against the sink stretched across the opposite wall to the showers. An eyebrow raised in challenge as she watched Ginny rub herself down and collect her things.
"Just go and get in bed, I'll be there in a second" Ginny ordered firmly, rolling her eyes as she relented. Of course, Storm was her match in many ways. Their friendship built almost entirely on sniping at each other, and poking fun wherever it was possible. Very little remained serious between them for long, and she figured this shouldn't be an exception to that rule.
She watched out of the corner of her eye as Storm smirked in triumph, a grin taking her lips as she pushed herself from the sink. Making no move to dress anymore at all, content just in the towel. Ginny swished her wand at the door once again, muttering incantations to undo her charms from earlier, allowing Storm to leave with no other words. The atmosphere between them thick, and full of tension.
Ginny could feel the coil in the pit of her stomach starting once again as she thought on what the rest of the night might hold for them. A comfort settling across her shoulders as she thought about actually getting another decent nights sleep, and a lay in in the morning. Waking up to Storm had been nice, it had been different from any other encounter they'd had before.
She figured, she couldn't deny that this would probably be happening a lot over the course of the foreseeable. Doubting anything but Harry's return would bring it to an end. They both knew exactly where they stood, and she figured there was definitely no harm in continuing on this path for a while.
She finished off what she was doing and made her way into the darkened dorm. Storm's curtains around her bunk already partially drawn, and the taller witch was just visible in the dim light of a singular candle that had been lit at the bedside table between their beds. Her towel long since discarded, dried and cleaned and folded on top of her trunk ready for the next night.
She sat up against the headboard, her sheets already pulled up to her chest and an issue of quidditch weekly splayed out on her lap. Though, dark eyes had flicked up to watch Ginny making her way over as soon as the bathroom door had been opened again. Watching as she sorted her things out, purposefully taking her time.
In the flicker of the small light from the candle Storm could see the smirk that had taken her lips. "Are you waiting for Christmas or are you going to get in bed already?" Storm questioned a little impatiently, an eyebrow raised as she watched the redhead turn to face her finally.
"Why, Are you in a rush?" Ginny questioned then as she flicked her eyes around the area to make sure that there was truly nobody observing them. Nobody listening in to what they were actually saying. She could see Storm's eyes trail down her towel clad body, interest clearly written across her features even in the dim light of the candle still flickering away.
"I mean, not really but I'd much prefer it if you were over here rather than over there." Storm stated simply, moving to scoot over in the bed. Allowing for plenty of room beside her for Ginny to slide in at her leisure.
The redhead took her cue to drop the towel, leaving it on the floor to sort in the morning. Moving to slide under the sheets that had been lifted for her, turning to tug the privacy curtains closed around the bunk. Shielding them once again from the realities that came with Hogwarts. Leaving them in peace for the night ahead of them.