Hermione sighed as she entered the apartment and closed the door behind her. Her Professor just confessed that she wanted to spend their week off of school together and it excited the young brunette in many ways. Hopefully at the end of the week, they would have established whatever was going on between them and what it meant for the future. She was still facing the door, trying to tame the blush she knew she was sporting when she heard her roommate clear her throat. Turning around, Hermione set her face and asked, "what?"
"So," Ginny's smile spread into a shit eating grin, "how long have you been fucking Professor Black?"
Internally Hermione was panicking but remained as cool as she could given the situation, "what are you insinuating? There's nothing going on between me and Professor Black."
Ginny laughed, "you really think I'm a fool? Come on now. This isn't the first time I've come to walk you home and she's been in your office. Though tonight, your door was locked. Why was your door locked anyways? I may have a concussion."
"We didn't want to be interrupted while preparing for the final exam and you shouldn't walk head first into the doors. That's not safe."
"Okay," Ginny smiled, "fair enough but why did it take you so long to open the door? Outside of a little office romp, I'm coming up blank as to why that took so long." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Okay, still being stubborn, then why did she walk us home? And what were you out there talking about?"
"You have an awful lot of questions for someone who isn't actually part of this whole situation," she was starting to get defensive.
"Hey," Ginny's tone turned from accusational to reassuring, "I'm not saying I blame you or anything or trying to chastise you. Professor Black is hot. I get it. I just hope you guys aren't being stupid and are risking being caught by the Dean."
"We thought," she sat down on the couch, "that we were being careful but it would appear that we were wrong. First Narcissa then Draco and now you."
"Is she your one night stand sex goddess?" Her face lit up when Hermione's face burned red. "I knew she would be a killer in bed. Tell me everything."
"Absolutely not."
"Come on. You have to give me something. This is like the first relationship you've been in since we've been mates. I need the details," Ginny came and sat down next to her friend.
"I don't even know if it's a relationship yet. We've been on one real date outside of our first night together. And yes," Hermione eyed her friend, "after the date I stayed over at hers but we haven't actually discussed our relationship or this thing between us. Draco tried to insinuate that we were just fucking and Bella got really pissed off at him for trying to define us before we had the chance to figure it out."
"Draco can be stupid sometimes and please if Professor Black goes to punch him, let me know I've been dying to see someone punch him for years now."
Hermione laughed but nodded, "just out there in the hallways, Bella told me that she asked Cissy not to invite me to stay over there this week because she wanted an opportunity to get to know me and explore our relationship."
"Oh shit," Ginny turned to face her friend, "that's right. You usually stay at Draco's during breaks. I suppose you are staying around here then?" She smiled when Hermione nodded, "I'm leaving tomorrow for home so if the two of you have kinky sex in our apartment, I won't know if you branch out from your bedroom."
Hermione slapped Ginny on the shoulder, "stop. She has a cottage, you know."
"A cottage? Doesn't seem like her style."
"That's why I thought as well but I'm dying to learn the story behind it."
"So," Ginny smirked, "please tell me she wields a strap."
"I'm not answering that," Hermione rolled her eyes, "but I'm also not saying no."
"I knew it. That woman boasts the confidence of the strap wearer."
"Hey!" Hermione protested, "I could wear the strap."
Ginny burst out laughing, "good one, Mione."
"Well I could," she answered like a petulant child. "She is very dominating but in the best way possible. I almost asked her to come in tonight but I was under the delusion that you still didn't know. Damn," Hermione chewed her bottom lip. "Too late to call her back but you really interrupted at the worst possible time. I think she was just about to give me permission to cum."
Ginny's face turned a shade of pink at that, "permission?" When Hermione nodded she said, "okay now you have to give me something. You can't drop a little detail like that and think you can just walk away from this conversation."
"Draco almost ran out of the room denying anything between me and his Aunt and here you are practically begging for all the sorted details."
"I'm going to order a pizza and a six pack then I'm going to take a shower to get the practice smell off of me. When I get back, I expect more details. Got it?"
"I suppose," Hermione stifled a laugh.
After Ginny had placed her delivery order and she had left the room to take a shower, Hermione pulled her phone out to send a quick message to Bella.
Hermione(8:24pm): well Ginny knows. I didn't make it more than one step in the door and she asked how long we have been sleeping together.
Bella(8:27pm): not surprising. She's a smart pupil. I expected her to figure it out sooner or later.
Bella(8:28pm): how did she handle it? I'm assuming she was fine with everything.
Hermione(8:30pm): perfectly fine and understanding. Much better than Draco.
Bella(8:30pm): good
Hermione(8:31pm): she wants to know if you wear the strap.
Hermione(8:31pm): and then she laughed when I said I could wear the strap.
Bella(8:34pm): lol. Good one pet. I'm dying over here. Keep telling yourself that and maybe one day it'll come true.
Hermione(8:35pm): I'm rolling my eyes over here.
Bella(8:36pm): too bad Red interrupted us tonight. I know I just left but any chance you want to come spend the night. Finish what we started?
Hermione groaned internally. God yes, that's all she wanted was to go over to Bella's and let her absolutely destroy her in the best, most wonderful ways possible but she knew that she couldn't. Ginny was most likely expecting a girls' night and she couldn't disappoint her like that.
Hermione(8:37pm): you have no idea how much I want that.
Bella(8:37pm): but?
Hermione(8:38pm) but Ginny just ordered food and drinks and said she wanted to hear more about us and I suspect she is desperate for a proper girls' night. It's been ages since it's just been me and her. I'm sorry.
Bella(8:39pm): don't apologize. Spend time with your friend. Are we still on for dinner tomorrow?
Hermione(8:39pm): of course.
Bella(8:40pm): then I suppose I'll have to wait to feel you clenching around my fingers again tomorrow night. You will be coming home with me.
Hermione(8:41pm): yes, Professor. Goodnight.
Bella(8:42): goodnight, Hermione.
"Fuck," Hermione groaned when she threw her phone down into the couch cushions. "Why is she so fucking hot all the time?"
"What's that?" Ginny asked, emerging from the shower, hair wet and in a pair of pajamas. She looked up at her flustered roommate, "oh I see," she laughed. "Get a text message from your soon to be girlfriend did you?"
"God," Hermione rolled her eyes, "you are so insufferable sometimes."
"Key word. Sometimes."
Bella arrived at Hermione's apartment a little early the next afternoon. She wasn't meant to be there until 5 but she showed up at 4:45pm. She was hoping Ginny had already cleared out for the week but if not no harm would be done as the red head already knew they were seeing each other. "Seeing each other," Bella shook her head as she ascended the staircase, "that sounds so fucking stupid." She could just ask Hermione to be her girlfriend but she also felt that was a little stupid given her age. "What would you call us then?" She asked herself. Not a partner, that sounded like a business arrangement. "Fuck it," Bella sighed as she reached her door and knocked. She heard a voice call out from inside the apartment so she walked in through the front door, "you really should be more careful about keeping your door locked. You never know what kind of undesirable person might walk right in," she smirked when she turned around to an empty living room. She heard Hermione call out from down the hall, "well then it's a good thing you came in. You are a very desirable person." Bella laughed and proceeded further into the apartment after Hermione said she'd be out in a few minutes and to make herself at home. She walked over to the bookshelves and started running her fingers across the spines of the well read books, getting a feel for the younger woman's reading habits. "Interesting books," she called out to the girl in the other room.
"If you see anything you like, help yourself," the brunette called back out to her.
Bella nodded and continued her journey stopping at the mantle below the hanging television. She picked up a few picture frames each housing a picture of Ginny and Hermione with various friends. She picked up the one picture frame holding a picture of Andy kissing the top of Hermione's head during what looked to be Christmas. She never realized how close the two actually were. They needed to tell her soon before she found out a different way. "So you and Andy? You two are close?" She put the picture frame down and continued to walk around the room, making her way down the hallway.
"Yeah," the brunette called out. "She's been so good to me since I started university here. Draco introduced me to her first term and I got the student teaching job at the library. We just sort of clicked. It's hard without my own parents around so it felt natural to build a relationship with her."
"I see," was all the older woman responded. She felt a little tinge of jealousy and there really was no reason for it. Cissy even told her of Andy's maternal love for the girl. Still, she was a little put off. "I'll tell Andy about us this week if you'd like," she rested against Hermione's door frame watching the brunette pull her blazer jacket over her dress shirt. Bella suppressed a laugh. Hermione was dressed completely appropriate for dinner at Narcissa's. This clearly wasn't the girl's first time being entertained there. She herself was wearing a long black skirt, a loose dark green blouse and a black corset. Cissy acquiesced long ago that Bella wore whatever she wanted to no matter the occasion.
"Would you?" Hermione looked up in the mirror and met eyes with Bella, smiling at her dinner date.
"Of course," she waited at the door to be invited in like she was some sort of vampire. When Hermione nodded her in the room, Bella left the threshold and began walking around the very tidy and organized space. "I think it'll be more well received if it just comes from me."
"Do you think Andy will be mad?" Hermione sounded worried, "or that she won't accept us?"
Bella walked up behind Hermione and slid her arms around her waist. A single moment of panic made her heart stutter before kissing the brunette softly on the cheek, "if she didn't approve, would that change how you feel about me?" She rested her chin on Hermione's shoulder and met her eyes in the mirror.
The vulnerability in her Professor's voice was enough to hint about some sort of past relationship trauma and she knew now wasn't the time for that conversation. She gave Bella a soft smile and wrapped her arms around the strong ones holding her waist. "No, I would still want this chance with you." Bella smiled as she turned her head, nuzzling into Hermione's neck, inhaling deeply. She was softly dragging the tip of her nose up and down the side of her neck. "Mmm," she tried to pull away but Bella held tight, "Bella if you keep that up, we won't be going to Narcissa's for dinner."
"Keep what up?" She asked before she started softly nipping down the side of her throat, lightly sucking and licking over the soft bite marks. "I won't leave any visible bruises," she moved her nose back up, lips ghosting over her ear, "you need to keep up the good girl appearance. Wouldn't want Cissy to find out just how dirty you really are."
Hermione's mouth fell open, "I don't hear any complaints coming from you," she raised an eyebrow. "And just so you know, I can't be as dirty as you."
"A challenge?" Her Professor's grin turned menacing. "I love a good challenge."
"You'd be surprised what kind of fantasies I have," Hermione tried to control her blush.
Bella smirked and kissed her cheek with a loud, wet pop. "Oh goodie, I love a dirty surprise." She pulled away from Hermione and swiftly smacked her on the ass. "Let's go. If we are late, Cissy will complain and that's not what I want to experience tonight." She started pulling Hermione out of the room but let the brunette stop for what looked like her phone, her wallet, keys and an overnight bag. Bella smiled at the fact that Hermione was planning on staying the night. "Oh," she just remembered, "before I forget to mention it. I arranged a meeting with the Dean for the Monday after break at the end of the day. I plan to tell her everything if this is something you still want after this week. You don't have to come to the meeting but of course, it's up to you."
Hermione slid her phone into the blazer pocket, "of course I'll come. And," she kissed Bella on the corner of her mouth, "I don't see anything happening this week that would make me not want to go to the meeting."
Bella's smile was all pearly white teeth and she nodded and laced her fingers with Hermione's and led them out of the apartment.
They pulled up outside of Narcissa's oversized house and Bella put the car in park. She looked over and saw a worried expression cross Hermione's face, "what's wrong pet?"
"Nothing really," she bit her lip, "well it's just that did you ask if it was okay that I'm here tonight? It all feels a bit awkward between me and them now and I just don't want to upset anyone."
"Hey," Bella shushed her, "take a deep breath. No, I didn't ask because I knew it wouldn't be a problem. My sister, well sisters, adore you and I know they will want you here because I know that I want you here." She felt a little of the tension leave Hermione's body. "Would it make you feel better if I text her before we go in?"
"I'm being stupid."
"No," Bella sighed, "I should've said something to her last night. Just let me text her real fast." She pulled out her phone and shot Cissy a quick text.
Bella(5:25pm): hey. Hermione is with me. Is it okay that I bring her? I know last minute and all that bullshit but she's kind of worried that you don't want her here.
Narcissa(5:27pm): as I live and breathe… my sister asking for permission. I must have died.
Bella(5:27pm): oh haha. Fuck right off. Can I bring her or not? Because we will just go somewhere else.
Narcissa(5:29pm): Hermione is always welcomed over here. We just assumed she'd be joining you. There's already a place setting for her at the table. Now, please come inside. The two of you look creepy out in the Jeep staring at the house.
Bella put her phone away and squeezed Hermione's hand, "she already had a place setting prepared for you, love. She wants you here. Let's go, shall we?"
Hermione nodded and exited the car, her heart was fluttering uncontrollably at Bella's casual use of the pet name, love. It was one she hadn't used before and Hermione was sure it was her new favorite. Bella stopped in front of her and gave her a big smile, she held out her hand which Hermione happily took as they made their way to the front door.
The weekend was flying by at a rapid rate and Hermione wasn't sure how much time she spent outside of Bella's bedroom. They had gotten to know each other on every available surface through the cottage, only putting clothes on to go out for take away or to pick up the deliveries. Somehow Bella convinced Hermione to call off from her two weekend shifts at the library. She felt a little guilty but she texted Andy and told her she wasn't feeling well and luckily she didn't press the subject.
Hermione(12:25pm): Hey Andy. I'm not feeling so great. Would it be okay if I stayed home today? I don't want to spread it around the library.
Andy(1:00pm): sure thing kiddo. Take tomorrow off too and take care of yourself. Do you need me to stop by on my way in or out to bring you anything?
Hermione had told her that she had everything she needed to get through the weekend and that she would see her for her shift on Tuesday. She thanked her numerous times for being so understanding.
"I can't believe I just did that," she had said to Bella after getting the all clear from Andy. "I've never called off work in my life."
"Was that Andy?" Bella called from the bathroom. "What did she say?"
"She told me to take tomorrow off too and to get better," Hermione sighed. "Then she asked if I needed her to bring me over anything to help."
"You sound guilty."
"I feel guilty," Hermione threw her head back against the headboard. "I hate lying. I can just see the look of disappointment on her face when she received my message."
"I'll sort it out," Bella called out, "now," she exited the bathroom naked wielding only her strap on, "I think we both know what is about to happen here. Be a good girl won't you and go stand against the wall?"
Hermione scrambled off the bed quicker than she could recall moving previously. "Yes ma'am," she stopped, "which way?"
"Facing me, Sweetheart. I want to see your pretty little face when you cum for me."
Aside from the copious amount of amazing sex that was shared over the weekend and early in the week, the women did take a few breaks to watch movies and more baking shows. Hermione even convinced Bella to cook her some homemade brownies.
"Mmmm," Hermione moaned as she took a bite of the fudgy brownies that barely had a chance to cool down after Bella had pulled them from the oven. "These are magical," she licked her fingers to get the extra chocolate off on them in between bites. "You should definitely go on the Great British Bake Off. You'd win. Or I'd threaten the judges until they pick you because these," she pointed to the pan of brownies, "are seriously amazing."
Bella chuckled while she cut the rest of the brownies into squares, "I appreciate your enthusiastic response though I don't think the judges would take well to physical or verbal abuse from you. However I do find it endearing." Hermione took another bite and Bella looked up and noticed a little spot of chocolate on her nose. She put her knife down and licked her thumb, reached over and wiped the tip of the brunette's nose, bringing her thumb up to her own mouth and sucked the chocolate off of it. "You had a little chocolate on your nose," she winked. "It was adorable and delicious," she smirked. Hermione's blush was fierce. Her Professor had a way of melting her insides with a few simple words. "So," Bella spoke up, "when do I get the pleasure of having you bake for me?"
"Well that depends," Hermione took another small bite.
"On what?" She took a drink from her wine glass.
"Oh your health insurance. You will be in the hospital for sure if you eat anything I bake and I'd hate for you to wind up with a large emergency bill," Hermione smiled when Bell started laughing. "I could cook for you. I can make pasta type things and a few fish or chicken dishes but they are remedial at best."
"How about," Bella came over, wine glass in hand, "I'll do the cooking," she kissed Hermione on the top of the head, "as long as you continue to praise me and make all of those wonderful yummy noises while you taste my food."
Hermione was sitting behind the desk on Thursday afternoon. When she worked her Tuesday morning shift, Andy hadn't brought up her days off other than to ask if she was feeling better. The guilt reemerged but she quickly put it aside and went about her work. This particular afternoon was very quiet. Andy had been in her office all day so that left Hermione with a lot of alone time in the empty University library. With fall break in full swing, there were no students and Andy was very animated at the fact that it was ridiculous that they even had to staff the library at the moment but as Hermione told Bella, "someone has to be there to protect the books." She was sitting at the main desk, playing on her phone with earphones in when a cup of iced coffee slid into her line of sight. She looked up and saw Bella grinning at her. Hermione smiled back and took a sip of her coffee. Sighing in relief, "thank you. What are you doing here?"
"What? I need a reason to visit my," Hermione held her breath as she waited desperately for Bella to finish that sentence but Bella cleared her throat and redirected her train of thought, "to visit you at work now?"
"No," Hermione tried not to sound disappointed. "I thought we weren't going to see each other today. It's a nice surprise."
Bella peered down at her phone, "looks like you are busy here," she smirked. "You work just as hard at the library as you do as my TA or so it would seem."
"Oh very funny. It's dead around here," she took another sip, "but someone has…"
"…to protect the books," Bella finished the sentiment along with her student, causing a blush to grace Hermione's cheeks.
"Careful though," Hermione saw Bella raise an eyebrow, "you keep showing up at my places of employment with iced coffee. This is the kind of thing a girl could get used to."
Bella was about to respond when she heard a knock on the window of Andy's office and they looked to see the middle Black sister waving her in. Hermione's eyes went wide, "you are doing this now?"
"Umm," Bella gave her a sheepish smile, "yes? No time like the present. Isn't your shift over now?" Hermione nodded. "Good you should head out. I can stop by yours after this if I'm alive."
"Yes. I'll order us some take away," Hermione smiled. "Fuck I'm nervous."
"It'll be fine," Bella gave her a cheeky grin, "I have reinforcements coming."
"What?"
Just then the voice of the youngest Black sister was heard coming up alongside Bella, "your reinforcement is here," she turned to the brunette, "hello, Hermione. She should clear out." When she saw the concern cross Hermione's face she quickly added, "don't worry. We will take care of Andy. Can't have her scaring off the best thing that's happened to Bella in years now can we?" She excused herself and made her way into the office.
"I didn't know you were coming," was heard as the door shut, leaving Hermione standing alone with Bella.
"Go on," Bella smiled, "it'll be fine. I promise. I'll see you later." She quickly squeezed Hermione's hand before walking over to the office.
Bella made sure she watched to see the brunette leave before she walked inside, "Andy," she inclined her head.
"Bella," Andy responded in kind, "what's with the creepy dramatics and why do you keep bringing my staff coffee?"
"We need to talk."