Moanful Wailin' Blues - Gladys Bentley
"Trembling hands or nerves of steel
Someone tell me what to feel…"
"When you said you were travelling across North America, I knew you meant you'd be travelling the Muggle way but-"
"Muggles travel by caravans all the time! I'm simply downgrading to a van because it's more fashionable," Hermione smiled cheekily.
"Fashionable?" Ginny squawked and sipped her glass of merlot. "Never, in the fourteen years I've known you, never have you wanted to be 'fashionable'! Cut the shit."
Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile. "Alright, honestly, it's the least conspicuous way to travel without being recognized. I need to take a step back from England and the wizarding world. I don't have the energy I once had to persevere." Her shoulder slumped as she exhaled.
Ginny reached over and rubbed Hermione's knee. "You fought as hard as you could, Hermione. I reckon you'd've lost no matter who you ran against. The wizarding world is still not ready to progress."
She scoffed and covered Ginny's hand with her own. "It's hysterical how primitive wizards think Muggles are and yet, there are still laws barring magical creatures from having rights. Muggles have had animal protection societies for hundreds of years."
"And yet, they still prefer to travel in toxic vehicles. Muggles will never cease to puzzle me…" She withdrew her hand and shifted the empty dinner plate away from her on the coffee table. She was stuffed from the beef wellington they had prepared together earlier that evening.
The demonic charge of a Gladys Bentley vinyl filled the silence with a comforting crackle. The faint sounds of London traffic far below drifted through the open window on a cool October breeze.
The crisp scent tickled her nose and brought Hermione back to a memory of their childhood. "Do you remember the first time you scored on the twins as a Chaser?"
Ginny's grinned ear-to-ear. "Of course. I think Dad nearly fainted with pride. Ron and Harry wouldn't stop taking the piss out of them. I think that was when they finally started to respect me as an athlete."
Hermione snickered. "And look at you now, a starting Chaser for the Harpies."
Ginny stared at Hermione with a disbelieving smile. "I can't believe you remember that. I thought you were inside with Mum."
"Well yes, but we came running out with all the commotion. You were absolutely covered in muck and had grass in your teeth from the boys tackling you." Hermione sighed happily. "I'll never forget how happy and proud all three of you looked." Her lips twisted as her burning eyes betrayed her.
Ginny quickly shifted gears, ignoring the heavy air of grief, scooping up Crookshanks. He was crushed in her arms before frantically struggling to get away.
"Ow!" She finally let go when he sunk his thickening claws into her forearm. He fled to the flat's dark window and indignantly groomed his paw.
Hermione laughed and let her eyes linger on Crooks sadly. She was exhausted from a lengthy campaign for a higher-up position in the Ministry. She lost to an old caucasian wizard; apparently, being a war hero could only get her so far with the public. "I'm going to miss him… Thank you for staying here to keep him company. I think he'd run away in protest if I were to take him with me."
"Of course, it isn't a problem. I'd much rather stay here in my off-season than stay with Mum and Dad again."
"A London high rise compared to your parents' crowded home is a much better look for dating," Hermione laughed.
"It's more on brand, innit? I had to go round theirs any time I wanted to see someone. The last girl I had at The Burrow… Mum barged in on us," Ginny shuddered cartoonishly. "Besides, I've always wanted a cat."
"Oh, no… Poor Molly. Well if you like Crooks being around this much, you'll have no problem with any other cat. He's truly a god among mortals."
Ginny laughed hard at the squished face surveying the moth fluttering around the slowly extinguishing candles. She looked back at Hermione; there was a purple-blue stain under each eye, her skin was sallow and pale as snow even after the hot summer. Ginny had been away on tour during most of the campaign, only returning a few days ago. The toll it had taken on her friend was discernible.
Ginny stood from her spot on the floor to sit next to Hermione on the sofa. She tilted her head to rest on Hermione's shoulder. "I wish we had more time together."
With a sigh, Hermione wrapped her arm around Ginny's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "I know. Me too." She pursed her lips hard to keep them from quaking.
Ginny felt Hermione's chest hitch and straightened to face her. "Don't you start crying! If you do, I won't be able to stop!"
Hermione smiled widely and laughed dryly despite her wet eyes. "I can't remember the last time you cried in front of me, I hardly think my crocodile tears would move you."
"Oh stop, I'm not heartless," Ginny glared amicably.
"I know! You wouldn't be taking care of Crooks if you were," Hermione laughed. And grabbed the back of Ginny's head to plant a kiss on her forehead.
Ginny received the kiss with a small smile and snuggled back down against Hermione's chest. "You never know, my motives could be entirely selfish."
Hermione snorted and closed her eyes. She missed cuddling Ginny. After a lifetime of sharing beds and only having each other in a house full of boys, it was hard being apart. She ran her hand up and down Ginny's bicep as she eyed her full trunk and knapsack by the front door. She was firm in her decision to leave but it hadn't been an easy one once Ginny had returned to London.
Ginny's arms wrapped around Hermione's lap and behind her back. She felt her thumb lightly stroking a strip of exposed skin on her waist. The sensation was electric and not completely unwelcomed.
The record ended, the needle ran off the vinyl and the soft crinkle of dust over the speakers filled the room.
Neither moved to fix it.
Hermione's eyes dropped to the top of Ginny's head, she couldn't see if her eyes were open or closed. Her thumb still danced lightly off her skin. Despite the iron grip on her gut, she felt more at ease than she had in months.
Time was seamless and melted into infinity as Hermione started to slip into sleep. Crooks was belly up and snoring on a bookshelf. Ginny's breathing was steady and low. Her thumb had ceased movement. Hermione's hand had drifted down to hang carelessly off of Ginny's hip.
Ginny's weight shifted and the once warm nook she'd be tucked into against Hermione filled with cool air. Ginny's movements pulled Hermione's hand back to cup the side of her hip.
Hermione sighed happily and creaked her eyes open to peer at Ginny who was now facing her. "What is it?" she whispered.
"I'm going to miss you," Ginny croaked softly.
Hermione's heart constricted. "I'll be home before you know it." She smiled, but Ginny's face didn't crack, her eyes searched Hermione's. "What?"
Ginny's eyes dropped to her nose.
To her lips.
Then, after an eternity that lasted only a split second, back to her eyes. Ginny's lids, heavy.
She leaned in by an inch-
And stopped.
Hermione hesitantly jerked forward-
And stopped.
Her eyes trailed to the delicate, sharp points of Ginny's top lip. With trembling hands, Hermione tucked a curl behind her ear.
With nerves of steel, Ginny kissed Hermione.
Her lips were so soft. The kiss was slow and warm, like waking up in a bed of silk. They stayed, lips locked, together for some time; savouring the moment of innocence and novelty.
Hermione opened her mouth slightly and took Ginny's top lip between hers. Ginny gently sucked on Hermione's bottom lip. Without breaking apart, Hermione twisted her body to face the redhead.
Ginny opened her mouth this time and her tongue timidly sought the tip of Hermione's. Her breath came out harsh, like fire, across Ginny's face. Hermione threaded her fingers tight into Ginny's hair as she closed her lips over Ginny's.
Over
and
over again.
Still leaning forward on her knees, Ginny crawled toward Hermione, pushing her backward. Their mouths finally parted. With Hermione on her back and Ginny straddling her, they saw each other clearly.
The eroticism of the unknown clung to the air like opium clouds. The crackling needle of the record player rippled through the flat.
Ginny's hair tickled Hermione's face like gossamer curtains as she dipped to her mouth.
Hermione met her with greedy pleasure.
Ginny's forearms framed Hermione's head, while her hands roamed the tight network of muscles running down Ginny's back. Their kisses were languid, deliberate and becoming increasingly lewd.
Ginny's tongue lolled out of her mouth as Hermione's own traced every inch of it before sucking it into her mouth. With a gasp, Ginny jerked her hips that elicited a groan from Hermione.
Ginny sprinkled long, lusty kisses across Hermione's jaw and over her racing pulse. While kissing lower, Ginny dragged her body down against Hermione's gyrating groin.
Hermione was lightheaded from the need for Ginny's mouth. Ginny gently sucked small marks on her skin and licked them with a long, deliberate tongue.
Returning to her mouth, Ginny dragged her hands up Hermione's sides, gingerly pulling up her blouse.
Once discarded, she lay back down and Ginny kissed her fiercely. Her hand traced down the side of Hermione's breast to rest on the soft curve of her hip. Ginny pulled her mouth away enough to look between them. Ginny's hips ground hard against Hermione's thigh as her breath vacated her chest. Ginny sat back on her knees to tie up her hair and fling off her t-shirt.
Hermione's eyes trailed over the practical sports bra and the strong length of Ginny's abs. She felt insecure about her soft stomach and her back spilling over her tight bra band. The intense campaign took a greater toll on her body than she'd thought.
Ginny dropped on top of her quickly, running her hand up Hermione's stomach to grasp her breast. Ginny kissed up the column of Hermione's throat, she pulled her bra strap over her shoulder, providing some relief and itching.
"You're so sexy,'' she rasped into Hermione's collarbone. She dug her teeth into the bra strap impression and kissed languidly down to the top of her breast. Ginny's hooded eyes met Hermione's. Ginny's finger hooked the top of her bra cup and she slowly pulled. "Do you want me to stop?"
Hermione's heart rate was visible and strong.
"Please don't stop."
The bra being tossed across the room woke an unimpressed Crookshanks. Affronted, he squawked before turning back to sleep.
Ginny grasped both breasts, stroking her thumb over one nipple, and gingerly flicking her tongue over the other.
Hermione's eyes closed and arched her back as she combed her hand through Ginny's damp bangs. Teeth gently closed around her nipple as a tongue teased the tip in a wet mouth. Hermione's hand shot to Ginny's back and clawed her skin.
Ginny groaned and sucked Hermione's nipple into her mouth, hard. She released it and laved her tongue around her areola. Just as she switched sides, Hermione grabbed her head and pulled her up to her mouth.
Their breath was rushed, teeth clinked off each other, noses pressed hard into each cheek, mouths attached with intense pressure.
Hermione's hands grasped Ginny's bum and pulled her leg hard against her groin. She groaned deep in her throat. She could smell Ginny's sweat and was being cooked alive by the heat of her body.
Ginny's hand wound through Hermione's frizzing curls at the crown of her head and tightened. Hermione's eyes flung open and gasped.
"Do you like your hair being pulled?" She crooned against her lips.
Hermione nodded breathlessly.
Ginny moaned approvingly as she sucked the sweat off Hermione's neck. "Can I touch you?"
Hermione's breath came out as a quiet whine. Her head bobbed again and felt Ginny's teeth against her skin as she smiled.
Ginny sat back on her knees again, a wet spot darkened the thigh of her navy leggings. Her chest was splotchy and pink to match her cheeks and ears. Her fringe stood on end from her sweat, some stuck to her forehead.
Fingers danced down Hermione's chest, over her sternum, around her belly button to just the top of her trousers.
Ginny's mouth was agape as she watched the goose pimples rise against Hermione's skin. She popped the button and pulled them off with some awkward maneuvering that made them both giggle.
Their eye contact was scorching as Ginny's fingertips found the swollen column that ached for touch. Ginny's fingers danced over it and Hermione's hips jumped. Ginny's hand ventured further down to the musky dampness that allured her. She skated over the sensitive skin and met the bundle of nerves with a slippery and unyielding touch.
Hermione groaned and ground herself against Ginny's hand. She gripped the edge of her sofa with all her might. She twisted her hips into a circular motion and peeled her eyes open to see Ginny's pupils, blown out.
"Your mouth," Hermione breathed.
Ginny removed her hand and sat back on the couch until she was exactly where Hermione needed her. With her knickers tucked to the side, Ginny's clever tongue made searing contact with Hermione's blazing skin.
Hermione's breath was heavy and needy as she pressed against the slick warmth. Ginny pulled back on Hermione's mound to greet her swollen bud delicate lick. With a cry, Hermione's hips shot up, nearly colliding with Ginny's nose.
"Too much?"
"No, no, no, no," Hermione chanted quietly. "Please."
Ginny dipped her head and sucked gently on the spot with a rhythmic rocking of her head. Hermione's knees caged Ginny's head and wove her hand into her tied hair.
Her hips met Ginny's pace and new sweat broke out across her body.
Her breath turned to whines.
To moans.
To pleading.
"Don't stop, please, gods, please please please, yes."
Ginny's fingernails dug into either side of Hermione's hips and let her ride her face.
With an earth-shattering shudder, the sofa was bathed in the fruits of her labour.
Hermione's face was red, sweaty and streaked with tears. Her eyes were glazed with euphoria.
Ginny lightly kissed her way up Hermione's body before squeezing between her and the sofa's back.
Hermione put her arm around Ginny in a daze.
Never, never has it felt like that before.
She lazily kissed Ginny's still wet lips and chin.
"What do you like?" Hermione whispered, after coming back into her body.
Ginny reached across Hermione to grab her wand on the coffee table. "Accio Herbert."
Hermione broke into hysterics. "Herbert?!"
Herbert was about 7 inches long and a smooth, silicone green.
Ginny handed off Herbert for Hermione to inspect. "So when anyone asks if I'm dating someone, I say Herbert."
Hermione laughed until tears breached her eyes again.
Ginny joined in her delight.
"Well, I work best on my own but I suppose I will work with someone else this evening." Hermione grinned and rolled off the sofa to sit on the floor.
Ginny turned tauntingly slow. Hermione, ever patient, grabbed her legs not-so-gently and planted either foot around her.
Ginny gave a crooked smile as Hermione sat forward to plant a slow kiss on her lips. She sucked on Ginny's quickening pulse point.
Ginny's eyes closed and tilted her head back as ran her hands over Hermione's impossibly soft skin.
She kissed down Ginny's stomach, tracing the hardlines with her tongue until her mouth met the hot, wet mound under her leggings.
Ginny groaned and raised her hips to meet Hermione's too soft touch.
"Harder," she urged.
Hermione ground her mouth and chin against the same spot and Ginny half laughed in approval. Hermione rolled the tight leggings down Ginny's legs and tossed them onto the pile of clothing.
Crookshanks was deep in sleep and undisturbed.
She traced her fingers over her sensitive, wet skin, rubbing the apex.
Ginny hissed, "Careful, not that hard without my leggings on."
Hermione nodded and kissed around the area, hooking Ginny's thigh over her shoulder to suck spots onto her skin. The light blond hairs of her leg tickled Hermione's nose as she nuzzled her.
Ginny groaned and rocked her hips while grasping Hermione's curls.
"Now," Ginny panted. "Now, please."
Hermione set Ginny's foot back onto the ground and tested the depth and angle with a few timid strokes, awaiting instruction.
She watched Ginny wet her lips as they made eye contact.
"Like this," She reached her free hand between her legs to cover Hermione's and adjusted. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes rolled back before closing.
Violently, Hermione's stomach clenched and she repeated the directions given. '
Ginny's face contorted and she let out a harsh whine.
Hermione stood on her knees and braced herself off the wall and furiously worked her arm.
Ginny's chest was fully pink and her muscles were tense.
Hermione's breath was stuck in her throat. She'd never seen anything so beautiful.
Ginny's hand dropped between her legs to stroke the front of her groin and her mouth opened wide into a silent scream.
Hermione's arm fiercely burned and her grip was slipping.
One final spasm ripped through Ginny's body. Her breath was deep and laboured.
With a jellied arm, Hermione dropped Herbet and laid her hot cheek on Ginny's damp sports bra.
Ginny gripped Hermione's hair weakly and kissed the top of her head.
They lay there, tracing lazy circles on each other's skin as they slowly came back to their bodies.
"Have you done that before?" Ginny asked.
"No, I suppose I've been curious, but I haven't had the time to pursue anyone. Was it any good? For you?"
Ginny laughed. "Yes, Hermione, as always, you are a star pupil and a quick study." A kiss on the forehead. "You were magnificent in every way."
Hermione quietly glowed under the praise.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"I thought that was rather obvious," Hermione snorted, her skin reddening again.
"Well, is there anything else you want to try?" Ginny chuckled.
"Kiss me," she whispered.
The flat was hot, despite the breeze coming through the window.
Both women, grinding themselves against the other's thigh, faces pressed against one another, sharing breath.
There was no end-goal, no finish line to race towards.
Hands gripping any body part they can get ahold of.
The pace slow, but nothing short of desperate need.
To be close.
To be safe.
To be loved.
Their rocking eventually ceases until they two are tangled in each other's embrace.
Lips, brush.
Eyes, shut.
Breaths, even.
"I'm going to miss you too."