November 26th 2003, Evening
It took two whole cups of tea, four cream scones, a dozen silly jokes, and sixty minutes of persuasive complimentary monologing. But finally, Hermione conceded that this afternoon's visit to St Mungo's was a success for both Pansy and herself.
Pansy pretended to exaggerate her relief and sense of victory, but inside she wasn't actually far off in truth, she was just so glad Hermione got through arguably the hardest part of her recovery. That meant in a couple weeks she'd be well on the path to immunity from Fleur's french charms.
No need for anger and resentment. No need to ignore her or avoid being around her. No need to be anything less than civil, whilst sticking firm on not rekindling the long sailed ship that was their relationship. That's when Hermione knows she's won, that she's over the blonde beauty. Pansy wanted to be there with her to see it.
Of course though, Fleur failing put ever more pressure on herself. And Ginny was the sleeping giant with the pot of gold. Pansy could pick around her but she was gonna need more than tiny rocks to take Ginny down.
But then again, it wasn't about them. Hermione's happiness was paramount, if that means not being with Pansy then that's what it means. Pansy didn't believe Fleur and Ginny deserved to make her happy, and if she could get Hermione to see that then she'd consider it a job well done. She was going to make Hermione happy, but who she wants to make her happy is a matter that none of the contenders had any real control over.
Pansy heard Hermione return from a bathroom break, and her facial expression told her that she'd caught Pansy in the midst of a thought-provoking rumination. "Did that glass insult your family or something?"
Pansy had been unconsciously staring down a tall glass of water, she shook her head to clear away the fuzziness and got to her feet. "You were a long time?"
"Is that your way of telling me I should seek medical advice?" Hermione cheekily responded. She quickly saw Pansy backpedal and dispelled her embarrassment "I was kidding, I was just removing my makeup."
Now she said that, Hermione had a much more natural complexion now, and some markings and freckles appeared clear as day, that she publicly hid with foundation and blusher. Pansy liked Hermione bare natural as much as she did all done up, in fact she could've done her face up like a clown and it would still come off.
Weirdly a clown Hermione would be very arousing, Pansy suddenly discovered.
"Earth to Pansy Parkinson" Hermione clicked her fingers in front of her work partners eyes.
"Sorry" Pansy ducked down and tried to look around, find an item of some form that could prompt a change of thought. "I really need to clean up huh?"
Hermione snickered "you're awfully bewildered tonight aren't you?"
"Yeah. I suppose I am" 'Can you really blame me when there's someone as good-looking as you scrutinising me?' Pansy added mentally.
Hermione surprised her and reached forwards, with arms outstretched she closed them around Pansy, causing the Slytherin to stutter over a small gasp. "Thank you again Pansy, I really think you were fantastic today."
"Y-you're welcome" she stifled an awkward cough and patted Hermione's shoulders. "And you still think you did well too, right?"
"If you refuse to let me deny it, how can I not believe it myself?"
They enjoyed the hug for a couple more seconds, then Hermione pulled away and smiled apologetically. "I've got to head home now, Ginny's expecting me. I'll be back tomorrow morning and we'll go over this plan for the vaccine then."
"Of course, I'll think on places to start tonight and we can brainstorm" Pansy agreed, looking forward to the morning.
"Great"
"Yeah"
Hermione collected her bag and Pansy watched it with blatant disappointment on her face. Then just when Pansy began thinking on alternative (less satisfying) ways to spend her evening, Hermione stood still for a moment before turning round to face Pansy again. "Actually, would you like to have dinner at my place tomorrow? It's my night to cook and I always make too much, Molly Weasley taught me too well."
"Dinner?" Pansy quizzed, not quite understanding.
"Yeah, you know the meal you have during the evening that conventionally requires cooking."
"I know what dinner is, my question is why?" Not wanting to seem ungrateful Pansy quickly added "I'm honoured but why did you think to ask me when you know I...cause a rift?"
"Well...this time is a thank you for your support today" Hermione explained. "Okay, I know what your concern is, but believe me Ginny won't be a problem I promise."
Pansy scoffed before she could stop herself "I hardly think you can promise on her behalf, Ginny will have a problem with it, because I am that problem."
"I want you to come over for dinner. Ginny can live with it, or pretend. If I want to celebrate our day in a civil and social fashion with my work colleague, and friend, then I will" Hermione countered.
"I agree, we should be able to do that. It's been a great day, and a great start to the biggest thing we've done professionally. I just don't want to ruin the night because ofthe inevitable animosity, it's best if you two eat together." Pansy hated the idea of sharing a three-way meal with her nemesis, as much as the Weaslette despised having her in her home.
Hermione looked unimpressed and thoroughly frustrated. "You know what, you've just settled it, it's happening. You will be coming over for dinner tomorrow, Ginny and you will get by without any nasty exchanges for the duration of the meal, I will have you be civil to one another if it kills me, is that understood?"
Pansy knew so much of a murmur in dispute, or attempt to dodge the order, and Hermione would silence her against her will. She's done it before, it's scary and it's generally not a great experience, bar the small flicker of kinkiness Pansy feels that she'd rather not go into. Simply as a way to stay in Hermione's good books, Pansy relented. "Yes, understood. What are we having?"
November 27th 2003, Evening
Hermione was as usual following every instruction to the word, degree and measurement. People knew Hermione wasn't the greatest cook, her dishes improve the more she cooks them, but it was dreadfully embarrassing to actually witness Hermione's lousiness in the kitchen for the first time.
She was her own worst enemy also; picking something she's never made before, just because Pansy was a massive fan of that particular cuisine. Hermione liked Chinese food too, and Ginny would eat anything as long as it had meat in it and wasn't too spicy. But Pansy lived and breathed fried rice and noodles, and on that basis Hermione had to make it.
She was just trying to impress. Ginny first, because seeing the pride in her eyes after Hermione achieved in something she wasn't great at, it boosted her mood up times a hundred. And Pansy...for the same reason now she thought about it. Fleur used to look at her that way too...
Hermione wanted people to respect and admire her, though not in a self-important, egotistical way. When she started at Hogwarts, Hermione blew her own trumpet a lot. She always liked to share knowledge that in her mind everybody knew, or should know. She didn't realise how exceptionally bright she was, reading and retaining information was something she believed everybody can do.
She learnt the hard way how she made those that struggled feel inadequate, and the reaction to feeling that way is to revert inadequacy back onto her. It was hard to make friends too when you keep proclaiming your knowledge to people. On top of that, people believed she thought she was best at everything. Most people knew she didn't have a single bone in her body for flying a broomstick. And not only was she not the best chess player, she was probably the worst...at least in Gryffindor. Hermione wasn't perfect, she knew that better than anybody, but most firmly believed she considers herself as such.
Fleur once told her that she saved her life, that the cold-hearted French girl would've been the loneliest popular girl in the world, if it wasn't for Hermione. The brunette didn't know what to say at the time, other than to tell her she was wrong and that Fleur always did have a giving heart. But Fleur wasn't completely accurate either, for their relationship had changed them both for the better.
Hermione became human in a different way to Fleur. She went from walking encyclopaedia and educational snob, to a normal open-minded and patient schoolgirl. Meeting Fleur made a difference to Hermione, taught her more about the world and people than any book could ever do. After meeting Fleur making friends was easy because Hermione stopped living inside her head, or the library, and used her heart a lot more.
This resulted in Hermione appreciating others, and feeling overjoyed to be appreciated back. That's all she ever wanted in the first place, but to be appreciated you have to earn respect. To earn respect you have to show respect.
Although Fleur breaking things up cut Hermione so deep, and made her feel hollow, those teachings never went away. Hermione was grateful of many things about Fleur even now, but this had to be the most important.
Coming out of her daze, Hermione reached for the bottle of hoisin sauce and drizzled it into her wok, which was just a frying pan with an enlargement charm on it. It smelt delicious already and Hermione was definitely not bias. The sound of sizzling oil was loud and almost transformed their small kitchen into a top-quality Chinese restaurant.
Hermione had to call over the sound of the cooking in order to convey a request to her partner. "Ginny, can you set the table please?!"
Ginny's groan in response was just as loud, but Hermione sensed movement in the background so knew the redhead was complying. Hermione smiled to herself, tossing the entire contents of the wok up and down like a professional she wished she was. Satisfied with the wok, she moved onto the standard frying pan where she was finishing up searing the chunks of chicken breast.
A touch on her hip made her jump slightly, and she turned into Ginny who was enjoying the close proximity whilst she fished out some cutlery. "Looks brilliant, you've outdone even my mum with this one. I hope those aren't chilli peppers though."
"They're just normal red peppers Gin, and your mum hasn't made Chinese food before so how could I possible outdo her" Hermione replied.
"Because you're making them now, that to me is outdoing somebody"
"By that logic I could cook this so badly it'd be inedible, and yet still I outdo your mother. Which might be a possibility if you keep distracting me."
Ginny closed the cutlery drawer with her wrist and brandished three sets of knives and forks. "Nobody told you to cook Chinese food, you act as if Parkinson would die if she ate anything not covered in aromatic sauce."
"Of course Pansy eats other food Ginny" Hermione lightly pushed the redhead away and out the kitchen.
As she was leaving Ginny poked her head back into the room and added. "And if it's inedible give Parkinson my portion, it's the least she deserves."
"Ginny!" Hermione warned.
"I'm going, and I'm gone" And indeed Ginny finally disappeared around the corner.
Hermione mentally told herself it would be fine. The evening would go very smoothly, Ginny had promised to behave and so had Pansy, maybe this could be the evening that puts them both on the path to civility. Or maybe Hermione was once again fooling herself.
Due to Hermione not being able to walk away from the stove for more than a minute, it was Ginny who would greet their host who had opted to Floo to their apartment. Hermione had a distinct feeling that the exchange would be a huge indicator of the how the evening was going to pan out.
At exactly quarter to seven, the flames roared up and Pansy stepped out. She had put a lot of effort into her appearance for this evening, not entirely because of her money background and the traditional dinner party etiquette. If she could get Hermione's eyes on her body, with Ginny right across the table, that would be her greatest victory for this evening.
She wore a sapphire blue sequin dress with a deep collar that displayed half of her reasonably-sized bosom. The dress was long with a slit up the side of her leg. The outfit was meant for ogling, but subtle enough for her to pass off as dinner appropriate...Ginny would disagree, but then Pansy didn't care about her opinion.
She also had a braided side ponytail that draped hair over her left shoulder and collarbone. Her eyeliner was dark and made her eyes intimidatingly attractive. She was stunning, and the moment Ginny saw her she hated Pansy for it.
The way Ginny approached looked uncomfortably tense, like her body wanted to go away from her but her mind forced it towards. Ginny was the same side of a magnet as Pansy, wanting to repel but some unseen hands forced them together. Ginny eventually got within a foot of Pansy and looked the girl up and down. "You overdressed."
Pansy had to bite back a daring comment about whether she'd prefer she took the dress off for dinner, but wisely she refrained. She stiffly replied "I'm afraid I forgot to enquire Hermione about the dress code. A dinner invitation in my family always requires formal attire."
Ginny wondered if all rich women dressed up like sluts for dinner. "The table is set and the food will soon be on its way."
"Thank you, but I'd like to let Hermione know I've arrived first, if that's okay with you?"
Ginny flinched but kept her cool. "She is rather busy, she really ought not to be disturbed."
"It would only only be for a moment, I'll just pop my head in and say hi" Pansy already walking off.
Ginny glared after and waited until she'd gone into the kitchen, before edging close enough to be able to hear into the room. She didn't trust Pansy not to miss a moments opportunity to flirt with her girl.
Pansy saw Hermione and genuinely smiled wide. She smelt the gorgeous food firstly, which immediately made her happy by default. Then there was more happiness knowing Hermione chose tonight's theme just for her. And finally the joy of seeing Hermione's hot bod over the stove was the ripest cherry on the sweetest cake. "Hey"
Hermione stopped stirring momentarily to face her guest. "Pansy, you look incredible."
"Thank you, I know it's a bit much but we didn't specify exactly what the dress code was. I thought it would be better to put too much effort in, than to not put in enough. Stupid I know."
Hermione chuckled "I respect effort if you hadn't noticed."
"I had, which was why I went through that thought process. I still feel ridiculous though" Pansy admitted.
"Don't be silly, I can just wear a binbag for our next WHO meeting, that'll even things out a bit" Hermione joked, and they both laughed together. Ginny grated her teeth together from her listening station just outside the door, and fought extra hard to stop herself surging into the room and dragging Pansy away...preferably back to the fireplace or out the front door.
It was nothing to get jealous over, just a joke. Huge drama over that was pathetic even for a hot-headed Weasley. That and Pansy would have succeeded to play her without even trying. Ginny would tackle Pansy during the meal, that was her strategy.
"You really didn't need to cook all this" Pansy spoke up again.
"Oh you eat raw then, well you should have said" Hermione replied. Two jokes in a row wasn't necessary, not in Ginny's mind.
"You know what I mean" Pansy snorted, then added with a hum. "I know you like sushi, should try that next time."
Hermione voiced exactly what Ginny incredulously thought, except the former wasn't as bothered "next time?"
"Yeah, when I decide to cook. If this evening goes well then we could have a repeat at my place. You, me and Ginny of course" The redhead could hear no conviction in the last part of that suggestion.
"If this evening goes well...you mean when it goes well"
"Hey I really wouldn't count your chickens. I trust in your food because it smells delicious, but-"
"Not buts. You agreed, Ginny agreed. If anything goes wrong it's because either or both of you made it so" Hermione sternly cut her off.
"I won't antagonise her that's for sure, that doesn't mean she won't-" yet again the brunette cut her off.
"Ginny has been great about the whole thing. After a really tough bit of persuasion she agreed, and ever since she's been excellent about it. I don't see that changing" Ginny grinned, remembering how Hermione persuaded her. She slept very well last night as a result.
Pansy sounded put out but played it off as conceding the point. "Well then, that's alright. I'm sure this evening will go swimmingly." Ginny could tell Pansy secretly wanted her to say Ginny had fought her hard over it, and was uncooperative with the arrangements. Ginny being a good hostess was not what she wanted to hear. 'Suck on that Parkinson'.
"That it will. Now enough of the distraction, go sit up the table and I'll bring the food in when it's ready. Ask Ginny to pour you some wine whilst you wait"
Ginny dashed into the dining room and to her chair faster than Pansy could round the corner. Ginny pretended to be brushing off the tablecloth but somehow Pansy seemed to see right through it. The Slytherin paused slightly, and Ginny felt her accusing eyes on her. Pansy however did not voice her knowledge of Ginny's eavesdropping, and came into the room. "Which seat is mine?"
Ginny nodded her head at a chair on the opposite side of the table to herself, diagonally across from Hermione. It was the furthest place away from Hermione that Ginny could reasonably find, without making it look like she was trying to separate them. Most importantly, Ginny didn't want her within touching distance, not by hands nor feet. Footsie was a very forward action that she thought not even Parkinson had the gall to try, but if she was bold enough then she'd have to reach across Ginny. Basically, it just wasn't going to happen.
'Insecure much' Pansy thought, her only visible reaction being a single curiously high eyebrow. She took her seat quickly and looked around for a napkin, or at least a cloth. Not finding one at the table Pansy smiled towards Ginny and asked "could I get something to place in my lap, I don't want to ruin this dress?"
Ginny's mouth contorted as she fought back a snarl, her eyes didn't have the same luck hiding her annoyance. Pansy did this deliberately, using her rich girl etiquette as a weapon against Ginny the commoner. Elegant dress and a napkin in her lap, knowing she'd be eating and risking a mess in her lap. "All we have are tea towels, I will get you one."
"Thank you, oh and Hermione mentioned wine, I've really love a taste of whatever you have to offer" Pansy's smile was asking to be scrubbed off with the heel of Ginny's boot, she innocently looked around the dining room as the redhead vacated it.
Ginny swore as she entered the kitchen, putting a muffliato charm up so the guest in the other room wouldn't hear. Hermione could hear every raised word. "Screw that snobbish little skank, why do you need to dress up like Cinderella to have dinner?"
Hermione sighed, at least thankful that her partner was doing her best to be hospitable in the presence of their guest. "It was my fault Gin, I didn't specify what she should wear when I invited her."
"Come off it Hermione, either she's thick as two planks or she did it on purpose. She knows this was a casual dinner"
Hermione was turning the hobs off and moving the pans ready to plate. "You can't blame her, she's from a different way of life, she truthfully doesn't give much thought about her wealth but you can't always change the habits born from your upbringing." Hermione knew she was lying for the Slytherin, in the clearest definition of the word. Pansy ate half a burger in five minutes flat only the day before. She's not the prim and proper girl she painted herself out to be during their school years.
But Hermione didn't want to agree with Ginny over how Pansy had dressed for dinner, because she preferred the safety of pretending not to acknowledge it. Ignorance is bliss. Pansy looked amazing and Hermione could not pretend otherwise, so what? They were having dinner here, Ginny was present. Nothing was going to happen even if they wanted it to...which Hermione didn't for the record.
"Pansy dresses formally because she's been brought up around important wealthy people, who invite important wealthy people around for dinner. If I don't specify otherwise, that is how she would dress as a dinner guest."
Ginny disagreed entirely, Pansy was using her superiority against them and Hermione was blind to it. But to say that will cause arguments and tonight was not the night. "Her royal highness requires a napkin, so she don't stain her beautiful dress" Ginny sardonically responded.
Hermione shook her head at Ginny's attitude but threw her a clean tea towel. To say anything more on the subject will cause arguments and tonight was not the night.
Ginny snatched a bottle of riesling from the fridge and slammed it shut on the way back to the dining room. Her fake smile was back in place and she began pouring Pansy a glass. She saw Pansy fiddling with the towel she'd just been presented with, an evil thought coming to mind. She obliged it.
She made sure she knocked the lip of the bottle against the glass rim, dripping a small puddle of wine over Pansy's napkin, over her lap. Pansy frowned and glared at Ginny who innocently apologised. "Oh sorry, that was close wasn't it."
"Yes. Very close to being exactly what I didn't want happening. Still, no harm done" Pansy said through slightly gritted teeth.
Hermione entered at that moment carrying a tray of their food. "Voila. Kung pao chicken with hoisin duck noodles and fried rice."
Pansy genuinely smiled at the heavenly meal, and Ginny too was salivating at the smell and sight of Hermione's delicious cooking. Easily the best dish she has ever made. The brunette gave the first plate to the guest, then the second to her partner, leaving her plate last. "Right, tuck in. I want a drop of that riesling first."
Ginny handed Hermione the bottle and warmly said "this looks wonderful love, truly."
"You're quite welcome hon."
"I agree, I haven't seen Chinese food look so incredible before, and I assure you that is saying something" Pansy offered her compliments.
"Aww, you're too kind. But the proof is in the tasting, so get to it both of you" Hermione egged on.
The next few minutes of eating was spent in silence except for chewing and appreciative humming. For once there was no tension, or animosity, or game-playing. There was only three women enjoying the most fantastic meal they'd eaten in a long time, and sipping at the equally good wine. Hermione looked up occasionally, her gaze flicking from Ginny to Pansy and back again, before dropping back to her food with a smile in place.
Everything was going great...until the Weasley section reared it's classic bad manners. "Eerrrppp".
Both Hermione's and Pansy's cutlery stilled, and both sets of eyes stared at the shameless redhead. Ginny felt the eyes and stopped eating also. "What?"
Pansy reached for her glass and brought it to her lips, forcing herself to drink instead of responding. Hermione had no qualms in hiding what she thought. "I'll just pardon for you shall I?"
Ginny rolled her eyes and shot back. "What happened to accepting people's upbringing, you can accept her crap but not mine?" She immediately balked at what she just said, speaking before her brain fully engaged.
Hermione's hand shot to her forehead with a clearly audible slap. She just couldn't help herself, she adored Ginny but right then she could honestly say she had never met a more idiotic person in her life.
"I presume your referring to my show of class versus your cavewoman habits" Pansy smirked across at Ginny, not offended in the slightest by Ginny's comment but successfullyfully igniting the spark she through up.
"Oh for heavens sake..." Hermione mumbled between her hands that by now were burying her facial features.
"Class? You look like the type of woman I'd see pictures of stashed away under my brother's bed" Ginny taunted back.
"You sound like the classless drunk hags that stumble out of the Hogs Head at closing time" Pansy returned an insult of her own.
"Oh will you both just let it go. All this from a bit of flatulence, I should have just ignored that it ever happened" Hermione desperately cried out. "Eat. The Food. Please."
Pansy reigned herself in, for Hermione's benefit of course. "Of course, I'm sorry for reacting like that, I am beside myself in joy at what I'm eating Hermione. I shouldn't be surprised, yet I am."
Hermione appreciated Pansy's effort, and if the brunette was perfectly honest the Slytherin wasn't completely to blame for that moment of friction. "You should be, this has been the best first try at a new dish I've ever had, by a mile."
Ginny thought it best to just let them converse amongst themselves, most certainly not trusting herself to keep any words back that she'd later regret.
"Nah I know you can cook, incredibly well judging by all of this" Pansy replied stabbing at her chicken, not quite in a regal manner expected of a formal house guest, Ginny noted. "The offer of sushi still stands by the way."
Hermione sipped from her wine glass, considering the offer. "You know what, absolutely I'll take you up on that. Just not this week, I'm trying to watch my waistline firstly and two heavy meals in one week is pushing my luck. Also we're likely to be too busy for long social evenings."
"I know what you mean, about the work not your figure. Which reminds me, I intend to have a day trip into Scotland on Friday, you're more than welcome to come but I suspect you'll be in the thick of it back here" Pansy informed her work partner. She was hesitant to even bring that up because the last thing she wanted was to leave Hermione's side, even as much as a day away from her was a dull experience. But she knew she needed to at some point, the sooner the better.
"Is that for research?" Hermione asked.
"Well duhh" Pansy replied, smiling wide to let the brunette know of her lighthearted teasing. "I received special permission the other day to peruse the old Hogwarts library for possible locations for our long forgotten geniuses of the past, most probably in our History of Magic textbooks. I mean did anybody ever read them?"
"Yes, they did" Hermione admitted with a raised eyebrow. "Though I'm certain you won't find any useful information in the ones we used to study. But as I have been known to say-"
"-the Hogwarts library is a rainforest of knowledge, if you can't learn something there you can't learn it anywhere" Ginny finished almost to the exact word.
Hermione reddened a little in embarrassment, eyeing up Ginny with a semi-annoyed glower. "Thank you for that."
"You're welcome love. You did walk right into that in fairness" Ginny coyly smiled.
"Whatever. So yeah, what she said" Hermione finished her point lamely.
Pansy was glad she was retaining Hermione's attention like this, of course she knew Ginny was allowing it but it still felt like a victory of sorts. But more than that Pansy truly felt at ease for the first time that evening, being able to openly speak with Hermione was the only factor for that feeling. "And you'll be alright at St Mungo's by yourself."
Even though Pansy was careful enough not to mention names, Ginny still pounced on this half slip. "Why wouldn't she, Hermione has always liked St Mungo's?"
Pansy noted how Hermione tensed, and tried to send a signal to her through body language that she was sorry, but Ginny saw that too. "Don't go speaking in looks Parkinson, tell me what you meant, not Hermione."
"I just thought Hermione might've considered it unfair to be left to fend for herself in a place that's come under extreme pressure of late, that's all" the Slytherin tried to redeem herself, and seemingly did a fine job as Ginny happened to swallow that excuse. However Pansy didn't count on Hermione just whipping the cat out the bag completely. "It's alright Pans. I want to tell her."
"Hermione..."
"Tell me what?!"
"Hermione it doesn't matter" Pansy insisted.
"Yes it does. If I can speak about her openly then that proves I'm strong enough, right?"
"What are you even talking about?!" Ginny was beyond frustrated at this point, at the pair of them not just the one Slytherin.
Pansy continued as if Ginny was mute. "Think about this first, maybe right now isn't the right time. I'm here, we're having a great meal, you wanted us to have a great night. I...we've..."Pansy indicated between herself and Ginny "...been trying to be civil simply so you could have a decent stress free night."
Hermione did to Pansy what Pansy did to Ginny, she ignored her in favour of the other occupant at the table. "Ginny, it's time you knew about this. About Fleur."
Ginny went grey as ash and had to confirm she heard right, even though her ears picked up her words clearly. "Who?"
"Fleur, she works at St Mungo's, has done the better part of a year now. I've known since January, but didn't think it was important enough to mention" Hermione explained.
"You didn't..." Ginny started incredulously. "You didn't think it was important to tell me your ex was not only back in the country, but that you'd seen her?"
"Well...she's never approached me, I thought she's just...trying to get on with her life like I am" Hermione defended herself. "It's no use getting overdramatic over a couple of rare sightings."
"You saw her more than once?!"
"Weasley. You cannot blame her for not wanting to mention this, you know as well as I do how much Fleur ripped her apart...you must know-" Pansy tried to aide Hermione but Ginny closed off her argument. "Shut your face Parkinson, this is between me and Hermione."
"Ginny?"
"Okay, I can understand why you didn't mention just happening to see her a few times. But you're now working in the same place she's working, and you wasn't going to tell me!"
"It doesn't change anything. I'm with you now, that's not going to change just because I'm in a close vicinity to my ex" Hermione returned passionately.
"If that's true why didn't you just tell me? Instead you hid it from me, what do you expect me to think?"
Pansy gave Hermione a look that said she warned her this was a bad idea, and now Hermione was beginning to agree with that sentiment. "Okay, the full truth. I was scared. I haven't seen her in so long, the last time I did I took a broken heart away from it. Seeing her again at a distance was enough to rattle me, but I did the only thing I felt I could do. And that's ignore her existence. Now I've been thrust into a position where I'm seeing her on a near-on daily basis, and it scares me more than anything. But I will ignore her. I refuse to let her dictate my emotions anymore, not telling you was just part of that strategy."
Ginny listened to her reasoning. She eventually spoke in a voice so low the other two had to strain to hear. "You still feel something for her."
Hermione had tears in her eyes, desperately trying to make Ginny understand. "For crying out loud, this was the girl I thought was the love of my life only three years ago, of course there's still something. But that's the past and you are my present."
Pansy was a mere passenger and witness to the heartfelt moment between lovers. Pansy's heart stung for two completely different reasons. One was the fact Hermione was crediting Ginny as the one to make her feelings for Fleur fade, of course she would say that to her girlfriends face but it could just as easily be because it was true deep down. And also her own secret actions with the ex-of-the-moment had caused more harm to Hermione than it did to Ginny. This was her fault more than anybody's.
"And she wants you back? Tell me the truth" Ginny seriously asked Hermione.
Hermione's head dropped, and the tears started flowing. "She...hasn't really said anything to hint that she wants me back. But I've seen the look in her eyes. I'm fairly sure she does."
Ginny nodded understandingly them firmly replied. "Then I'm no longer asking you to take the job with Sonorese. You have to take that job or you'll only be playing right into Fleur's hands."
Hermione tensed up again, this time at Ginny letting the cat out of the bag to Pansy over the Sonorese partnership role. However she didn't know Pansy already knew about that. "She doesn't need to take a job with some global superstar on the basis she'll get out of working with her ex."
"Like she doesn't have enough reason to work with him already, what she'd be doing with Sonorese would outshine anything she'd have done with you" Ginny spitefully retorted.
"Ginny!" Hermione hissed.
"We're a stellar team as a matter of fact, with proven chemistry and results. Sonorese is a loud mouth and no action kind of guy, and even then he only spouts crap" Pansy sent back at the redhead.
"Spoken like a girl way out of her depth. And actually yes, not working with the girl that ripped her heart to shreds on a daily basis is a bloody brilliant bonus in my book" Ginny shot back.
"Hermione can handle Fleur, I saw her do it just yesterday! That's what you're failing to understand, just show some faith in your girlfriend." Pansy truly lost her cool for the first time that evening.
"And what if Fleur really does try and swoop her up, with all the promises of a love she once had and had taken taken from her?"
"Then she's got me! With me by Hermione's side Fleur hasn't got a leg to stand on!"
"You just said you're going up to Scotland on Friday! And you'd just love it if Fleur worked her magic on Hermione, that's one way to get at me isn't it?"
"Unlike you, I BELIEVE Hermione when she says she wants nothing to do with Fleur! And for once Ginny, think about the person who really matters here, not everything is about what happens to you."
Hermione had her head between her arms, stress cramping her body up like a person slowly being frozen on the spot. But then she heard what Pansy said, and her heart lifted. "Pansy?"
Pansy threw her towel down at her plate and stormed onto her feet. "You don't need this, Hermione. Do not let her insecurities control your life, if she thought as much about you as you do her, she'd support you just like I am. Excuse me" and then Pansy was gone from the room, and the next thing was the Floo roaring to life in the other room.
This left one girl stewing in fury from her seat, and the other shocked and dumbstruck at the Slytherin's parting words. "I am not insecure" Ginny seethed. "She's poison Hermione, don't listen to her."
Hermione spun round and frowned at her partner. "Why shouldn't I? She just hit the nail on the head, i'd rather take my chances with Fleur and actually achieve a personal victory, than run scared to another job."
"What? No Mione. She just doesn't want you to stop being her work partner, if she was looking out for you she'd have never put you in a position to be near Fleur" Ginny argued, trying to be calm but the flow of hot rage was still dominant in her voice.
"See, again you completely miss the point" Hermione fired back whilst looming over Ginny. "This isn't about work Ginny, my professional life is a separate issue entirely. It isn't about Fleur. It's about me and you, why should anyone else factor into our relationship because of our past lives?"
"I'm not saying it does, I trust you" Ginny assured.
"It sure doesn't sound like it. All I'm hearing is "why didn't you tell me", "you have to take this job", "does she want you back". I wanted to tell you tonight to prove it wouldn't be a problem, and that you have no need to fear. But it's clear that you don't think I'm strong enough to resist Fleur, that's all you're thinking about."
Ginny had stemmed her ire completely, knowing full well she'd deeply hurt her girlfriend. "I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I'm sorry okay, I admit the news of Fleur frightened me, as it would anyone deeply committed to someone. You've got to admit that she's different to just a random stranger, you've got serious love history with her."
"I'm more than aware of that. What do you think I've been doing these last few years? Do you think I just had breakup amnesia and had forgotten all about Fleur? Whilst I've been making this relationship work with you, I've been mending every last piece of my heart that she tore open. And all I've ever asked of you is patience."
Ginny was shamefaced, she never normally backs down so easily, but then she never normally sees just how badly she got things wrong. It's clear to see that Ginny should not have acted that way, instinct ruled over composure. "I know. I am patient with you, this just took me by surprise."
Hermione's eyes narrowed even more, her internal consternation had discovered something else. "You are threatened by any person who takes even a mild interest in me. You are so insecure, it's like you just see me as someone who likes girls."
Ginny was affronted by this accusation. "I do not feel threatened by anyone. A person takes an interest in my girlfriend, I shoot them down. It's what you're meant to do."
"I understand that, and it doesn't bother me most of the time" Hermione admitted softly. "But telling me what job I should be doing, and who for, because my ex is back on the scene...Pansy is right. You need to trust me more than that. I've got to deal with it my way, and if I feel I can't do it I'll never step foot in St Mungo's ever again. The point is, I won't let Fleur in again, no matter what."
Ginny did not like how easy she made that sound. She was besotted with Fleur, still is by her own admission, and she's trying to tell her she can handle it. That she can walk away at any time freely. It's not the act of being unfaithful that she distrusted Hermione, Ginny didn't trust her to not rediscover that love that once was so strong.
Ginny was under no illusions that Hermione loved Fleur much more than she did Ginny. Their relationship was slow, tentative and riddled with obstacles at the start. But with Fleur, Hermione was an explosion of emotions. Happy, confident and full of life. If Ginny wasn't with Hermione she'd want to be with Fleur, heartbreak or not.
Was Ginny the only one with eyes? How was it that she was the only person trying to be realistic here? Maybe Hermione was strong enough, and maybe Pansy would be that protective barrier. But the wisest and most obvious solution in beating these feelings for Fleur was by keeping her distance, surely.
If Hermione walked away now, bang goes any plan for Fleur to weasel her way back in. Hermione's constant presence will provide all the encouragement the blonde needs. And Ginny didn't trust Pansy's words either. She knew she'd rather Fleur have Hermione thanGinny the Weaslette, and being Hermione's shield would paint a very beautiful picture of herself in the brunette's eyes.
Ginny currently had two rivals warring to wrestle Hermione away and obtain her for themselves. And they were doing it on their terms, by their rules and on their turf. She didn't stand a chance of holding onto Hermione if she let that continue.
One part of Pansy's tongue-lashing had struck a nerve with Ginny. Hermione shared the same opinion. And that was their belief that Ginny doesn't think about Hermione enough. Truthfully, the redhead could see why. Hermione was always expected to follow Ginny's advice, and sometimes the advice was a blessing. But for better or for worse, Hermione was often shoe-horned into seeing things similarly to how Ginny saw them.
This problem had an origin way back through the few years they'd been together. And maybe that is why this expectation grew. Three years ago, Hermione needed Ginny to guide her. And the redhead did an incredible job in steering her on the right course to rediscover herself, and of course some happiness.
Maybe that rapport had gone on too long. Maybe Ginny had built this up as a habit, and Hermione had become dependent on it. Something that was healthy for Hermione three years ago, was now unhealthy for their relationship. Ginny couldn't care less what Hermione does deep down, as long as it involved herself alongside. Maybe hatred for Pansy had taken it beyond habit, and into pure selfishness.
All Ginny knew is that had to stop too. Anything Hermione does will impact their relationship, and Ginny had taken control of the reigns for too long. Hermione needed to be trusted even if she ends up derailing their relationship entirely. It wasn't fair to decide what's best for Hermione all the time, or to take her independence away. Especially over things that Hermione has full rights to.
But that left Ginny in a huge dilemma. She couldn't let Hermione risk everything they had over misguided personal pride, but also couldn't continue to boss her around and make decisions for her. What should she do then?
The argument had petered out and they both drifted into the kitchen to tidy up. They did so in silence, tension still thick in the air. Ginny dried off the last of the plates and leant against the counter opposite Hermione, as the brunette scrubbed furiously with the pans. "When you encountered Fleur at St Mungo's, how did it go?"
Hermione had hoped the subject matter would be dropped, at least for the remainder of the night. But Ginny's tone of voice indicated a more level-headed conversation, which convinced Hermione to respond accordingly. "It wasn't half as bad as I imagined it would be. If you asked Pansy she'd tell you I did fantastically well. I felt a little less confident, I did sort of clam up. But overall it was a success."
Ginny nodded. "When will you see her again?"
"I'm not sure, hopefully I avoid interacting with her for too long, it's not like I'm working closely with her. Pansy has promised to be right by my side for the majority, I suppose Friday truly will be a huge test should I encounter Fleur without Pansy."
Ginny seemed satisfied because she fell silent again, looking distracted by the empty wine glasses clutched onto the end of her fingers. Hermione hoped to appeas Ginny further, this time on the subject of this job with Sonorese. "I'm not saying no to the job by the way. I just want to to note that if I chose to apply it would be on the grounds of what's best for me professionally, not because of a personal issue.
"Yeah that's fair enough. I'm sorry that I pressured you on it. You're completely right that my fears got the better of me, and that I came across as selfish. I just naturally don't want to lose you. Fleur is a huge threat to both of us, you know that, it was part of your reasoning for not telling me sooner."
Hermione stepped forward and tenderly locked lips with Ginny. The kiss was full of reassurance and forgiveness, a reminder to Ginny of whom she belonged. She looped her arms around the redhead's neck as she circled the brunette witch's hips in turn.
Hermione slipped away within a millimetre of Ginny's lips to vocally add "as long as we stick together we will get through it...together."
Ginny smiled, and for the first time since finding out about Fleur, she was hopeful. She wanted to convey that hope with Hermione, in the best way she knew. Ginny initiated a more heated kiss and began leading them both away from the sink. The journey to the bed couldn't end quick enough, as clothes were discarded well before the vicinity of their bedroom.
An; Long wait for this, I apologise yet I'm sure you'll understand. I'm sure the muses of all creatives are taking a knock just like mine. The more you stick with it the faster we'll get past this super hurdle.
Thereyou are, proof I'm not anti-Ginny. From her point of view it's herprize to lose, and in some ways she's doomed if she does and doomed if she don't.
And I know this will comeup at some point, will Hermione be unfaithful? Without revealing too much, I don't think so. Hermione has to at least kiss Pansy or Fleur, that's certain. Whether that happens before or after a specific plot point, then you'll know for sure. I know people don't like an unfaithful Hermione, so I'll try to take that into consideration.
There will be no Pansy in the next chapter. It's the turn of Present versus Past. Hopefully that will be here quicker than this one.