Second term was flying by at an alarmingly fast rate. Hermione was in the full swing of her classes. She had been assigned a new Professor to TA under and to be honest she was less than impressed with both the Professor and the students of the History Ancient Egypt class. It was a class that had the potential to be wonderful and promising but it was far from enjoyable. She herself loved all the topics covered but the Professor well he had a way of drying up any topic. Her Professor also seemed to dislike her and Hermione wasn't sure what she had done to piss off the man so badly but she figured by the way he spoke to his class that he just generally disliked everybody equally. "I've finished grading the essays, Professor Snape," Hermione had said entering the class one Monday morning and he just looked her up and down and said "I'm sure I will have to read over them and find any mistakes you undoubtedly missed. Take your seat, Granger. Class is about to begin." Not only was he an asshole to Hermione but the class replaced her beloved Museums Studies class so that also didn't add any favors to the situation. She should've just signed up for Bella's class again then she would've been given another class to TA but no she had to act rashly and this was her punishment. "Anything I can do to help, Professor," she rolled her eyes after she turned away from his desk. "Nobody appreciates a kiss ass, Granger." Biting her tongue she made her way to her TA desk and quickly scrawled a text to Bella.
Hermione(7:57am): do you think I could do jail time?
Bella(7:58am): definitely not. From what I've heard, Draco has told you the same thing. You really need to work on your anger issues, pet. Old Snape giving you a hard time again?
Hermione(7:59am): he absolutely hates me.
Bella(7:59am): he hates everybody. Don't take it to heart. Have a good class.
Hermione(8:00am):
Three months had passed since Bella and Hermione decided to try out being friends. It hadn't gone as awful as she had expected it to. Bella still teased her, relentlessly sometimes but it was easy to laugh it off. All of their encounters remained friendly and they found themselves spending a lot of time together in the library, at off campus bookstores and in the museum. They had made it a hard and fast rule that they wouldn't be alone together in either Bella's house or Hermione's apartment and that seemed to work for them. Hermione wouldn't be fooling anyone if she said her feelings for the older woman were gone. She was merely buying her time. One more month and she hoped the relationship would start back up again. Hermione was also pretty positive Bella was still in the same emotional place as her in regards to their relationship. In the bookstore, library or museum, anytime a part of their body would touch the other, electric currents were sent through them like little shock waves. Bella was showing no signs of wanting to back out as she often counted down the weeks and months until she could take her out on a proper date. Hermione couldn't wait but until that time, friends would suffice.
"Hey Hermione," an iced coffee slid into her line of vision during one of her shifts at the library. "I was asked to bring this to you."
"Oh?" Hermione looked up and smiled at Luna. "Well thank you," she took a sip and found the drink to be exactly as she liked it. "Who gave it to you?"
Luna shrugged. "I'm not at liberty to discuss that with you."
"Why ever not?"
"My life has been threatened," Luna smiled.
"Next time you see Professor Black, tell her I said thanks for the coffee."
Luna nodded and went over to her desk in the library while Hermione drank her ice coffee and just noticed the little slip of paper that Luna had also left on her desk. A smile crept upon her face when she looked around and slowly opened the paper and read:
Hermione,
Don't get Ms. Lovegood in trouble. She was merely a pawn to get you your much needed caffeine fix. Andy has long since stopped entertaining me by delivering the coffee. And we both know the Dean has been cracking down on any faculty member paying attention to students. I mean, fuck her honestly.
I need to talk to you about something rather important and it can't wait too long. Can we get together this weekend? Text me a date, time and place and I'll be there.
Bella
What a peculiar note to receive with a cup of coffee, Hermione thought. She was beyond curious to see what Bella had wanted to talk about. There was only one month remaining to their friendship only clause. A part of her hoped that Bella had decided sneaking around was a good option but Hermione feared that Bella wanted to put a stop to all communication. Though she didn't need to go out of her way to do that. No, she was confident that it was something else, something new.
Hermione(6:35pm): Friday? We can meet at that one bookshop we love. We've never seen anyone from uni there. 7pm?
Hermione put her phone away and checked her computer. There was an email from Professor Snape outlining the remainder of the course and like she had predicted, he left her in charge of nothing. She rolled her eyes and sent a quick email asking him if she could help create a study guide for the students so they can pass the exam. He responded rather quickly saying "always creating extra work for yourself, Granger. Do as you see fit. You know the material that's going to be on the final." Well, it was better than nothing and she was determined to see her students through with good marks on their test. She wanted to prove herself to him and wipe that stupid condescending smile off of his face once and for all. She had started on the study guide right away after she went through her binder and found the copy of the final Snape had given to her at the start of the term. "I'm surprised he trusted me with this," she rolled her eyes and got to work. She had been working for awhile when she finally got a notification on her phone.
Bella(7:30pm): is this just a ploy to go to the bookshop?
Hermione(7:32pm): of course not. That's only an added benefit. I'm dying to know what your little note was about. And thanks for the coffee. Luna held steady without giving your identity away.
Bella(7:35pm): good because I really would've hated to have to kill Ms. Lovegood. So Friday at 7? That sounds an awful lot like a date to me.
Hermione(7:38pm): two friends meeting at a bookstore on a Friday night hardly qualifies as a date.
Bella(7:40pm): bullshit. That's your perfect idea of a date and you know it. A friends with no benefits date… can't wait.
"Whatcha doing?" Andy plopped down in the seat next to Hermione as she was reading her last text. She quickly put her phone down.
"Nothing."
"Uh huh," Andy smirked. "Didn't look like nothing to me. So, how is my lovely sister tonight?"
"I wasn't texting Bella."
"You are a terrible liar," Andy laughed. "Besides, last I heard you were friends. How is that going?"
"Fine," Hermione shrugged. "Okay, it sucks. I want to just go back to the way things were before the Dean found out. I mean, I know you weren't exactly jumping for joy with us seeing each other but it was everything to me."
"You know we are always here for you no matter what happens or doesn't happen between you and Bella right?
"I know," Hermione laid her head on Andy's shoulder. "You are my family. All of you. It just felt…" she shook her head, "more complete with Bella. Like a void was finally being filled."
"Does Bella know what happened with your family? Did you ever tell her anything about your past?"
"No," Hermione's cheeks blushed. "It didn't naturally come up in conversation."
"I don't think that's a naturally occurring conversation, dear."
"I guess after the next month if we do end up dating, I'll tell her about my family."
"Everyone has ghosts, Hermione," Andy kissed her forehead before standing up and dramatically looking around, "don't want the Dean to come write me up for sexually harassing you. It was a motherly kiss, I assure you."
"Stop," Hermione hissed. "The narc could be lurking right here in this very library. God forbid someone sees you providing me with motherly love."
Andy cackled, "will we be seeing you for spring break?"
"I haven't decided what I'm doing yet. I may be in prison for murdering Snape. Only time will tell."
"I'll bring you a cake full of shivs if that's the case," Andy winked at her before heading back into her office.
Friday morning, Hermione arrived early to the History of Ancient Egypt in hopes of getting some news to the students before Snape came into the room. Luckily she had roped Bella into distracting him outside of the classroom so she could speak with them. "Okay class, listen up," Hermione spoke as clearly and quietly as she could've.
"Is Snape finally sick?" One of the students asked.
"No," Hermione looked at the door. "He's just indisposed. So, I've come to the conclusion that he's not everyone's favorite teacher."
"That's an understatement," another student said.
"Yeah. He's always so rude to us. Like he wants us to fail."
"Precisely," Hermione said. "So, I've made a study guide for everyone for the final. I thought it would be a good way to stick it to him. I want you all to set up a time to come to my office before now and the final and I will help each of your prepare. I need this as much as you guys do. I need to prove to him that kindness and actual teaching is an effective strategy."
"So we come by your office and you give us a study guide?"
"Yes and no. I'll give you the study guide but I also want to help you with your essays. I'll give you pointers so you can have all the tools you need to succeed."
"Imagine old Snapey's face when we all pass his class with high marks."
"That's the spirit. My outlook calendar is open for you all to put time on it," Hermione smiled when she went back to her TA desk just as Snape was heading into the classroom.
"Settle down," Hermione watched as the Professor seemed to glide into the room. She held back a giggle thinking about Bella comparing his walk to a ghost gliding across the floor. Bella had sold her on the fact that he was probably a vampire. "Something amusing, Ms. Granger?" He turned and gave her a stern look.
"No, Professor." She sucked the last ounce of happiness back inside and prepared herself for another dull lecture.
Professor Snape started his lecture and Hermione felt her phone buzz. She carefully looked at it under the desk and smiled.
Bella: (9:05am): mission accomplished, pet. Hopefully you got the students' attention. I will never attempt to hold a conversation with that man again. See you tonight. 7pm.
Hermione slipped her phone into her bag and settled in for the hour, pulling out her own work to look like she was busy.
The day went by rather quickly and Hermione found herself inside the small hole in the wall bookstore that she had found her first year at the university. It was in a small town that was within walking distance from the campus but no students or teachers frequented it because it always looked closed. The outside of the shop advertised a hardware store so it was only by accident that Hermione had walked inside to get out of the cold rain one day and stumbled upon her own personal heaven. The walls of the two story shop were lined with books with an upstairs reading area. The little old lady who ran the store often tried to get Hermione to help out around the shop but she always had to politely decline as she was busy with school and her job at the library. "Hello Mrs. Thompson, did anything new come in this week?"
"Oh yes, my dear," the old lady grabbed her arm and guided her over to the new arrivals table. "I think you'll love this one," she handed her a new mystery that was just released. "And," she took her into the back room, "here. She handed her a bag of donated books. I saved these for you and that lovely curly haired woman who often comes in with you."
"Oh thank you," Hermione smiled. "Bella will be thrilled with the new old books. She should be here soon. I'm just going to go upstairs and wait for her if that's all right."
"Go on up, dear. I'll let her know you are already here."
Hermione smiled and made her way up to the seating area. As expected the store was empty aside from the few random shoppers that popped in to check out the selection. Hermione took her usual seat in the back of the room looking out of the windows, over the city streets.
Bella saw Hermione sitting in the window as she approached the shop but she appeared to be lost in her book and didn't notice her coming. As far as Bella was concerned, it had been a long three months. She wanted nothing more than to whisk Hermione away to her cottage and keep her locked away for a week. They saw each other frequently enough and texted everyday but she missed the physical connection they had. The friendship just solidified the fact that Bella was head over heels for this woman and she hated that they were wasting precious time. Spending time with Hermione as friends was miserable and magical in the best way. There was no other reasonable way to describe it. Her heart warmed when she saw Hermione sitting in the window reading. This little hardware store became one of their favorite hide outs. She walked in the door, "good evening Mrs. Thompson," Bella smiled at the older woman and held her finger up to her lips. Mrs. Thompson nodded and waved her up the stairs. "Thank you," Bella whispered before turning and walking quietly up the stairs. She stopped at the top of the staircase and took a moment to look at Hermione. She was wearing skinny jeans, vans and a hoodie jumper. Her feet rested on the chair and her knees were brought up to her chest. She had her chin rested on one of her knees as she was turning the pages in her book. God, she was the most beautiful woman Bella had ever seen and when this whole silly friendship thing was over, she planned to tell her how beautiful she was everyday. Bella had never been this affected by another human being before and it was driving her crazy that she couldn't grab her and kiss her whenever she pleased. "Good book?" She finally spoke, causing the brunette to stick a bookmark in to hold her page. She looked up and smiled which caused Bella's heart to hitch. "Been waiting long?" She asked as she pushed off the wall and made her way over to the chairs.
"Not at all. You know how I get lost in a book though," she pulled the bag of books out to show Bella. "Mrs. Thompson saved all of these books for us. Pick whichever ones you want to read first then we can swap."
"I love," she saw Hermione's eyebrows shoot it. "I love how excited you get over the donation books." Bella cursed herself for chickening out. She knew she loved the girl but it wasn't the time to announce her feelings when they were trying to be friends. Usually a declaration of love would be followed by many hours in bed and that just wasn't in the cards right now so she would wait.
"Well," Hermione shrugged, "it is rather exciting." She took the books out of the bag and put them on the table in between them. "Here, look," she pointed to one that looked like horror. "You love horror."
"I do," Bella chuckled and reached down and picked up the book. Her finger tips briefly touching Hermione's. She felt those pesky electric currents again. Shaking her head clear, she flipped the book over and read the back. "Ooo, it sounds really good. This one is mine," she claimed and put it on the chair next to her.
"Fair enough," Hermione smiled and put a historical fiction romance next to her. This went on until they had divided up the books into their own perspective piles. "So you wanted to talk to me about something?"
"Straight to the business. No small talk? No secret flirting?" Bella winked.
Hermione's cheeks blushed. Oh how she wanted the older woman to flirt with her, reach across the table and grab her hand, bring her close and kiss her breathless. Alas, it most likely wasn't in the cards. She bit her lip, letting her mind wander back to other activities.
"Did I lose you, love?" She smirked. "It's okay. I think about us a lot too."
Hermione shook her head clear, "have you also been thinking about taking me up against those bookshelves over there?"
"Fuck," Bella groaned. "You mean with my fingers buried deep inside of you while you are screaming, dripping down my hand, books falling off the shelf with every thrust?" She smirked when Hermione's blush came back, "no. Haven't thought about it at all."
"Bella," Hermione whined.
"Okay," Bella chuckled and pushed her glasses up to the top of her head. "There was something I wanted to talk to you about." She waited for Hermione to acknowledge that she was back with her. "What are you doing for spring break?"
"You brought me here to inquire about my spring break plans?"
"Yes." Hermione sat staring at the woman in disbelief. "Well there's more to it than that. I just wanted to know if you were going on holiday with any of your friends or had anything planned."
"No," Hermione gave her a confused look. "I was planning on staying around here and getting my studies done and working at the library. Why?"
"Ahh," Bella smiled. "Good. Well hopefully it's good. The new exhibit starts at the end of May. And if I've done my calculations correctly, that is exactly one week after school lets out for the term."
"Go on," Hermione was trying to curb her smile.
"I was hoping that you'd like to host the exhibit with me," Bella shrugged. "For real this time. I want you in the whole process. I've even talked to the museum director about offering you a summer job if you are interested. Make some money, get away from campus for the summer, learn about curating an exhibit. What did you think?"
"I have so many questions."
"I figured as much," Bella's deep chuckle still affected Hermione like it was the first time she was hearing it. "The fine details are all semantics, pet. Those can be worked out closer to the end of term if you are interested."
"You know I'm not really the type of person to jump without all the details."
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course," Hermione smiled.
"Then jump. This opportunity will be amazing for you and it's all set."
Hermione sat and thought about the opportunity for a moment while Bella picked up one of her books to skim through while she waited. This was the opportunity Hermione was waiting for. She would be getting paid to do something she loved and get her feet in the museum world. She couldn't think of a reason not to go for it. She remained in her apartment over summer holiday anyway so she would be close enough to Uber to the museum when she was working. She could just try to work it around her library shifts so she wouldn't let Andy down. If this didn't start until summer term though, why did she ask about spring break? "What does this have to do with my spring break plans?"
"Took you a minute," Bella smirked and reached into her pocket pulling out an envelope and handing it to her friend. "Go on," she waited as Hermione opened the envelope and her face contorted in confusion before another emotion seemed to settle.
"It's a plane ticket," Hermione stated.
"Yes."
"A plane ticket to Italy?"
"Yes."
"I'm going to need more here, Bella."
"Fine," she dramatically rolled her eyes. "Spoil all my fun. I want you to experience the entirety of curating an exhibit and that includes coming with me to pick out the various pieces for the gallery. Ancient Rome… that's the theme. I have some meetings set up for us to go and browse different pieces to see what we think would feel right with the art I've already secured which we will see as well when we are there. I want you to be fully engaged in this project if this is something you want."
One side of Hermione's mouth turned up in a small smile, "this seems like the opposite of anything the Dean wants us to do."
"She doesn't need to know. It's over holiday and it's a business trip. Fully funded by the museum. I didn't pay for your ticket and you are in no way indebted to me nor the museum if you decide not to go."
"What about us not spending time alone together?"
"Like I said," Bella shifted only slightly but it was caught by the brunette. "It's a business trip."
"And the sleeping arrangements?"
"I've booked two hotel rooms, Hermione." Bella smirked. "I'm perfectly capable of staying in the same room with you and not jumping into bed together but I can see where you'd have a hard time resisting me."
"You're such an asshole."
"You find me charming and you know it," Bella winked. She leaned forward, "so?"
"Can I think about it?"
Bella shrugged, "don't take too long, pet. We leave on Sunday."
"In two days time? What about my work at the library?"
"Well if I'm not mistaken, break started today after class. Did it not?" Hermione nodded. " I've already spoken to Andromeda and she's aware."
Realization dawned on Hermione, "so that's why she asked what I was doing for spring break."
"She's always been too nosey for her own good. So you have a day, I guess, to think about it. Though if I had been given this opportunity at 26, there wouldn't have been much thinking on my part."
"Okay," Hermione said quietly, looking at the plane ticket.
"I'm going to head out," Bella packed up her books in the spare canvas bag. "I have packing to do. If you decide to come, the plane leaves at 2:45. The museum will reimburse your Uber. I figured it would look less questionable if we show up separately. The gate number is on your ticket," Bella headed over to the stairs and turned back to look at the brunette, "I really hope to see you there," she turned and left down the stairs before Hermione could respond.
Hermione turned, looked out the window and watched as the curly haired woman exited the shop, gazing up at the window. She smirked and waved before turning and walking down the street back to her jeep.
"Fuck," Bella sighed. She was sitting at the gate with her ticket crumbled in her fist. "I thought she would've come." Flight 827 to Rome was currently boarding and Bella had been waiting as long as possible to get on the plane. When she left the bookshop on Friday, she was convinced that Hermione was going to join her on this adventure. Maybe she overestimated the brunette's feelings for her. Bella's intentions were fair. She only wanted to help Hermione get her foot in the world of museum curating. There's no way the Dean would've found out and stopped her from coming. "Fuck," she swore again and checked her phone for the final time before turning it off and slipping it into her carry on bag.
"This is the final boarding call for Flight 827 to Rome," a friendly voice came over the intercom. "Ma'am?"
"I know," Bella stood and grabbed her bag. She offered a friendly smile to the woman at the gate as she took her crumbled ticket and scanned it. "Anxiety," Bella shrugged when the woman tried to press the wrinkles out of the paper. "Thank you," she took the ticket back and stepped onto the bridge.
"Wait!" A voice called. "I'm here." Bella stopped and turned back. She saw Hermione running towards the counter as the woman was beginning to close the gate door, she stopped. "I'm sorry. Traffic was horrible and then they stopped me for an extra security search. I'm not late, am I?" Bella's whole heart filled with warmth as she waited just inside the gate door on the bridge.
"No ma'am. We just called for final boarding but the plane hasn't pulled away yet," the woman picked up the phone and called to the captain to hold the plane for a few moments because they had a late arrival. She took Hermione's ticket and scanned it, "enjoy your flight."
"Thank you so much," Hermione grabbed her ticket and started running towards the gate. She ran right into the woman she wanted to see most in the world. "Hi," she breathed out, blushing when she saw the broad smile cross Bella's face.
"Hi." Bella reached down and grabbed both of their bags and held out her arm, "you came."
"I did," Hermione smiled and looped her arm through Bella's as they walked down the jet bridge.
"Well then," Bella nodded, "let's not keep them all waiting. We have an adventure to begin."