The Secret Garden

by Loislame

Hermione is searching for a florist for her best friend’s wedding. When she walks into The Secret Garden and meets the curly hired owner, her life will never be the same.

"Are you sure about this place?" Ginny asked her friend as they rounded the corner on a small side street that looked more like an alleyway than a street if she were being honest. "How did you hear about this place again?"

Hermione Granger, best friend to the bride, just rolled her eyes as they walked down the street. "I saw an advertisement on Facebook," she shrugged. "When I went to the business page, it seemed nice and the floral arrangements were beautiful."

Ginny was set to marry the love of her life in less than a month and Hermione, the Virgo that she was, offered to help with the wedding planning. "Don't waste your money on a planner. I was born to organize and plan. Plus, I'm free and you know I'd assert my opinions regardless." Ginny consented rather quickly because she and her bride-to -be, Luna, were working on a rather limited budget. As official wedding organizer and maid of honor, Hermione took it upon herself to find the DJ, baker, caterer and now the florist. So far, Ginny had been pleasantly surprised and pleased with all of her friend's findings so she wasn't worried. That was until they were walking down an alleyway towards a flower shop that looked like many illegal activities were happening behind the flower sales. "Are you sure we should go in there?" She asked one final time as they stood outside and looked in the windows of The Secret Garden. "What a strange name for a hole in the wall."

"It's a good book," Hermione sounded almost offended. "We are going in," she looked and saw the red head's face. "Well I'm going in. You are more than welcome to stay out here and sulk. We need flowers and we need them reasonably priced."

"Fine," Ginny rolled her eyes, walking over to open the door. "After you," she waited as Hermione passed before joining her inside. She smacked into her friend's back, "what? Hermione, move."

Hermione couldn't move. She was taken aback by the beauty of the shop. There were a multitude of fresh floral arrangements lining the shelves as well as a cold case which held flower singles. Buckets lined the walls with various groups of flowers, all very exotic and beautiful. Next to the window display, there was a bookshelf which the brunette's eyes were immediately drawn to. She wanted to go over and look at the books but found herself unable to move from her spot. Fairy lights hung from the ceiling and everything had a rustic woodsy look to it that made the entire shop seem like a fairytale come to life.

"It's much nicer in here than outside," she heard her friend chuckle when the brunette reached out and swatted at the back of her head.

"It's absolutely gorgeous and it smells incredible in here," she inhaled deeply, letting all of the various flowers invade her senses. She was getting dizzy from the scent and there was a heaviness in her stomach that she couldn't explain. The entire shop had an air of comfort and she couldn't quite figure it out. "Hello? Is anyone here?" She called out as she approached the counter, peering into the glass case and looking at the small mushroom trinkets and other small hand blown glass pieces. "I wonder if they make these here?" She asked when her friend approached the counter.

"They are quite cute," Ginny peered into the case. "It also looks like they make their own candles. You said you found this place on Facebook?"

Hermione nodded, "I was googling florists and when I went onto Facebook this place had been suggested so I did what any sensible person would do and followed the link."

"It's a bit risky to follow links on the internet, don't you think?" A girl with pink hair came out of the back carrying a bundle of flowers. Hermione wasn't versed in the subject but could note the calla lilies and cosmos without any prompting. The color of the flowers was a varying hue of pinks and purples. When the girl noticed Hermione eyeing the bundle she shrugged, "it's prom season. The teens are never happy with anything that doesn't look like regurgitated candy floss."

The joke put both of them at ease. "I'm Hermione, this is Ginny. And you are?"

The pink-haired girl looked over at the two women in front of her. "I'm Tonks."

"Tonks?" Ginny asked, reaching out to take the extended hand of the girl.

"Tonks or Dora. My full name is a nightmare and you'd have to murder me to find out."

"How would we learn your name if we murder you?" Hermione questioned her, suddenly intrigued.

"You wouldn't," she deadpanned. "That's the point."

"Is this your place then? It's quite lovely," Hermione said, taking another look around.

"No," she finally was done wrapping up her bouquet and walked it over to place in the fridge. "My Aunt Bella owns the store. I just work here part time."

"Is she here?" Hermione asked while Ginny walked around and got a better look at the shop. "Ginny is getting married and we are looking for a florist and like you already heard, Facebook sent us your way."

"She's out back unloading the delivery vans. She's not in the best mood though. The vans usually get here at 6am but today they were late."

Hermione looked at her phone. It was nearing 11am, "I'd say they are late. Should we come back another day?"

"My aunt is always mad about something. It should be fine. Don't let her prickly exterior fool you. She's a big old teddy bear," Tonks walked back to the counter. "Don't tell her I said that though. She'd skin me alive without another thought." When she started laughing Hermione didn't know if she was truly joking or not but fear and anxiety started to rise through her system. "I'll go get her. Wait here."

"Hermione," Ginny got her attention. "I have to go. Luna said there was something going on with the dresses and I needed to come for a fitting. She sounded upset. Do you want to reschedule this?"

Hermione shook her head. She was hired for zero pounds to do just this. Meet with the hired help and set up all the details. Even if the florist was prickly, she just needed to see if she was worth their time and money, "go on," she said to her friend. "I'll be fine here. I'll meet with the owner and get a feel for her. I can Uber back. No problem."

"Sorry," Ginny apologized a few times before making her way out of the store and back down the alley.

Hermione was left alone in the store front for what seemed like a long time so she took it upon herself to browse around. She walked over to the big tubs holding various types of flowers. She bent at the waist and inhaled deeply. The scent of the flowers went straight to the serotonin receptors in her brain. She stood back up and felt a little light headed from the smell of the flowers. Shaking her head clear, she walked over to the bookshelf. She slowly ran her fingers across the spine of the books. There were a mix of newer books and well-worn classics on the shelf. It seemed that the owner was the type of person who would read anything and everything they could get their hands on. That was also Hermione's logic when it came to reading. She devoured every book that she came into contact with from an early age. "See something you like?" A deep raspy voice sounded from the other side of the room.

Hermione could feel her cheeks turning pink like she had been caught doing something forbidden. "I was just admiring your bookshelf," she took a second before turning, hoping that the color left her cheeks. When she spun around, the color rushed back for a different reason. The woman was standing there with a bucket of flowers on her hip. She was wearing a pair of cut off shorts and a white tank top which was mostly covered by an army green apron, tied around her neck and back. Her hair cascaded down her body in loose spirals, framing her beautiful alabaster skin. She had a pair of glasses resting on her nose only shadowing the dark eye makeup. Her strong arms were colored by full tattoo sleeves. She had also noticed various tattoos on her legs but couldn't get a good look without blatantly checking the woman out. Hermione was convinced that this was in fact the most beautiful woman she had seen in her 28 years of existence. She noticed a small smirk playing on the other woman's lips. Fuck, she thought, I've been caught staring. She quickly turned her head and pointed behind her, "Lovey book collection, Bella."

She noticed the way her fingers twitched slightly when she called her by her name. "Did you come here just to admire my books?"

Was she teasing me? Hermione tried to cool her cheeks before turning back around. "No," she watched as the florist moved over to the wall of flowers, lowering the bucket of flowers into the missing spot.

"No?" She didn't turn as she was fluffing up the flowers, getting the display perfect before parting and walking back behind the counter. "Then what can I do for you?"

"Hermione. Hermione Granger."

"Hermione Granger," she raised an eyebrow. "What can I do for you?" She repeated her question.

"Your niece said you were having a stressful day. If this is a bad time, I can come back another day," she suddenly felt the room was too small.

The other woman shook her head, "let me guess. Dora also said that I was prickly?" She chuckled, "I have a reputation to uphold as the family bitch. Today is fine, it's been sorted with the delivery drivers. What did you need?"

"My friend," she had forgotten Ginny had rushed out. "Well she left but she's getting married and I'm helping her with the wedding plans. I saw an ad for your store on Facebook and wanted to come down and inquire about hiring you as the florist for her wedding."

"Didn't anyone ever tell you the horror stories of following ads on Facebook?"

"Your niece said something like that," Hermione finally started to relax.

"So you just want to hire me, flat out. You don't even want to know if I do weddings? Or look at a portfolio?"

That damnable smirk was going to be the death of Hermione. She could play this game. "Well I judge all my clients based solely on their book selections and you passed the preliminary test."

The woman raised an eyebrow, "if you want to be impressed you should see my personal collection, sometime." Hermione cleared her throat at the obvious proposition and Bella sensed the uncomfortable nature of the girl so she changed the subject. "Are you the maid of honor, best friend, or wedding planner?"

Hermione sighed a breath of relief, "a little bit of everything I guess."

Bella nodded and pulled out a album from under the counter, "here. These are some of the other wedding displays that we have done in the past. Usually the bride tells us what she doesn't want and her wedding colors and gives us creative freedom to do as we please. I've never had a disappointed customer."

Hermione flipped through the album and was stunned by the beautiful displays. They were all unique and yet they all shared a common thing that she couldn't quite put her finger on, "this one is my favorite," she pointed to the page with the book inspired wedding.

"Oh that one was one of my favorites but let me tell you," she leaned forward across the counter, inching into the girl's personal space. She waited until Hermione met eyes with her, "those roses I made from book pages almost killed me. Destroying books for art," she shrugged, "it hurt but I never disappoint."

"They were beautiful," Hermione's eye contact didn't falter.

Bella looked away first, the eye contact making her feel too much. She reached back down under the counter and pulled out one of the roses made from a book page, "here. A sample of my work for you."

Hermione reached out and took the flower, pulling back quickly when she felt electricity run through her hand upon touching the other woman. "Thank you," she blushed. "It's beautiful."

"When is the wedding?" Bella asked, moving away and grabbing her planner.

"April 15th."

"A month out," Bella turned to April and checked the date. "I'm available. I can pencil you in and we can go from there. I usually like to meet with either the wedding planner or the bride a couple of times to make sure that everything is still going in the direction we decide and then I require a deposit at the time of booking. Just a little good faith money that if the wedding goes to shit, I haven't wasted my time and resources."

"I get it," Hermione tried not to grimace at the shop talk. "Ginny and Luna have been in love for ten years now. Since the end of school. I'm pretty sure this is it for them. When do you want the deposit?"

"Next week, would you or the bride like to meet with me to come up with a floral plan for the big day? We can work out the arrangements, colors, do and don'ts and talk about the fee for service then."

"Okay."

Bella took one of her business cards and grabbed a pen. She quickly screwed on the back and handed it over to Hermione, "I put my cell on the back. Don't hesitate to text."

"Hold on," Hermione put the number in her phone and Bella noticed she saved it under Bella-Florist before sending her a quick text. "There now you have a number as well. Let me know what day you want to meet to talk over everything."

"So," Bella grinned. "I'll be working directly with you then?"

"I'll see if Ginny can come but she's been leaving this stuff up to me. She trusts my opinions."

Bella's grinned turned into a smile, "I'll see you next week then, Hermione."

Hermione said her parting words and left the shop with her handmade rose. When she was sure she was far enough down the road where the florist couldn't see her, she brought the rose up to her nose and inhaled. It smelled both of a citrus, woodsy perfume but also maintained the smell of the book pages themselves. Hermione was convinced that this was what the florist's hair smelled like even though she had no proof of the subject. She took out her phone and scribed a quick text to the bride including a picture of the paper rose.

Hermione (11:35am): I'm in so much trouble.

Ginny (11:37am): dress fiasco averted. Was the florist not it?

Hermione (11:38am): the florist is gorgeous and I wanted to run my fingers through her dark curls so badly.

Ginny (11:40am): such a fucking lesbian.

Hermione (11:42am): I'm hopeless. She's going to text with a date and time for a meeting to go over the details and pricing. Do you want to be there?

Ginny (11:44am): if she's as good as you say then I think she'll work out but please don't fall into bed with her until after the wedding.

Hermione (11:47am): I don't even know if she's gay plus the last thing on my mind is sex.

Ginny(11:49am): is that a picture of a rose made out of book pages? Hermione, honey, she's gay. I gotta go. Call me later?

Hermione looked over her shoulder one last time at The Secret Garden and saw Bella outside arranging her buckets of flowers, setting them up for the day. The florist turned and gave Hermione a little nod then a wink before disappearing back into the shop, "I am just a useless lesbian."

Exactly one week later, Bella was finishing up a few of the prom corsages she had been working on all day. "Want to go get a drink after work?"

She made a noncommittal noise as she continued diligently attaching the flowers to the ribbons. She texted Hermione yesterday and gave her the time and address of where she wanted to meet and when she asked if the bride was going to be there, the reply said no. That meant it was just going to be the two of them and Bella was feeling again. Feeling what, she wasn't sure. She hadn't even spent more than ten minutes with the brunette but she felt something when Hermione had touched her hand. Her hands were warm and soft and she smelled faintly of vanilla and lavender. None of that mattered. Bella was meeting her for a job, nothing more. Besides, she didn't do relationships. Casual hookups, one night stands, just sex, that was her thing. At least it was before Val. The woman who came into her life like a whirlwind and left destruction in her path and well after Val, there had been hookups but less frequently. If she were being honest, she hadn't quite recovered from that tornado of a woman.

"So drinks?" Her niece was confirming their after work plans.

"What?"

"Drinks. Tonight. Me and you?"

"I can't tonight, Dora. I'm going to the meeting about that lesbian wedding. I told you about that? That girl who came in last week. You met her," Bella finished her last corsage and started to place them delicately in their appropriate boxes.

"The cute brunette," Dora smiled, remembering the girl, fondly.

"She's too old for you," Bella rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to be 19 next year. Plenty old if you ask me," she crossed her arms petulantly. "Besides, if I'm old enough to drink, I'm old enough for that girl. What was her name? Hermione?" She saw her aunt giving her a warning look. "Oh," she smirked, "I see. You've already claimed this one for yourself."

Bella's features remain cool, "I've not claimed anyone." Her niece needed to drop the subject, it was starting to get under her skin. "I have no interest in sleeping with a client."

"Since when?" the girl scoffed.

"Since fuck off. That's when," Bella got up and carried her boxes of corsages over to the fridge.

"So can I go for Hermione then?"

"You will leave Hermione alone. If I so much as see you speaking with her, well we both know what your mother would say," she turned to look over at Dora with a self satisfying smirk on her face. Her mother would never settle for her daughter treating a lady like property.

"You could've just said you are interested in her. No need to bring mother into this," she rolled her eyes.

"Sorry kid but it had to be done," she laughed. "Now, help me put those in this case. I'm meeting Hermione in 40 and I need to change."

Dora shrugged, "yeah, fine."

They worked in complete silence stocking the fridge so the happy prom goers could stop by later and just pick up their flowers. "How far away is the wedding?"

"Three weeks."

"You really need to get laid, Auntie. You seem awfully on edge lately. How long has it been?"

"I'm out of here," Bella blatantly ignored her niece and grabbed her backpack, throwing it over her shoulder before walking to the door. "Lock up and don't do anything stupid while I'm gone. Text me when you get home and give your mother my love." Dora said her goodbye and promised to text later. Bella walked around to the side of the alley where her bike was parked. She quickly put on her leather jacket, secured her backpack with the chest buckled and shook her hair back out of her face so she could put her helmet on. She started her bike and took off speeding away from The Secret Garden.

Bella sat in a booth in the back of a little family owned restaurant that she had been coming to for as long as she could remember. She was glad she arrived before the brunette, it gave her time to calm the nerves she didn't realize she was hosting. This wasn't her first meeting with a pretty client so she shook her head and ran her hand through her thick curls. The waitstaff took her bag and helmet and kept it in the back for her but she had her planner and album on hand to prepare for the meeting. She had been engrossed in her planner and hadn't noticed someone was standing at her table until she heard a faint hello. Bella looked up and set her face. The brunette looked even more gorgeous than she remembered. Hermione stood at the table wearing a pair of khaki capri pants and a maroon v neck shirt. The look was completed with a pair of white vans. It was a simple outfit but the girl made it work for her. "Hermione, hello," she stood, letting the girl get a glimpse of her. She felt the confidence come back when the brunette's eyes roamed down her body. Bella was wearing a loose fitting white blouse with a lacy black under the bust corset, a pair of black leather pants and her combat boots. All of her curls were currently hanging over her left shoulder and she saw Hermione looking at the tattoo visible on her collarbone. "Please, have a seat." Bella motioned to the booth bench across from her.

"Sorry I'm late," Hermione finally spoke. "The Uber driver I had wasn't the brightest. He got lost twice in the fifteen minute ride. It was actually ridiculous."

"Uber drivers are either amazing or the absolute worst. There honestly is no in between."

Hermione nodded in agreement before rambling some more about the drive over and Bella was certain she missed everything she was saying, getting lost looking into the deep honey eyes that seemed to be sparkling when she spoke. "Bella?"

She shook her head and came back into the present, "yes?"

"I asked how you found this place? It's rather cute."

"I've been coming here for years. The owners are amazing," Bella sat against the back of the booth.

"Do you always come here for your business meetings?"

Bella shook her head and smiled, "no. Not usually. I usually just meet at the venue but I figured this was nicer, quieter." She pulled out her planner, opened up a notebook and grabbed a pen, "so tell me about the happy couple and their dream wedding."

Hermione launched into all of the details going way back to her becoming friends with Ginny in primary school. Bella tried not to smile like an idiot the entire time Hermione was rambling. She found the nervous talking endearing and wanted to hear everything she had to say. She learned that Ginny and Luna met at the end of highschool and hit it off. They had been dating ever since until Ginny finally proposed last summer at a festival which Hermione thought was cheesy but romantic. The wedding venue was Luna's backyard since she lived in the English countryside and her father owned a cute farm with a guest house out back. They didn't have a specific theme for their wedding but the colors were gray and blue. They wanted pops of color in the floral arrangements that were left up to the Florist's discretion which Bella loved. Hermione started to look nervous when she was talking about the limited budget and how she was afraid they wouldn't be able to afford Bella's services. She just nodded along and took notes, listening intently at everything the brunette was saying. Bella's favorite thing was how the girl spoke with so much passion about everything that was coming out of her mouth. She looked up and her eyes fell on Hermione's lips which were painted with the slightest pink lip gloss. It took everything in her power to keep her ass in the booth seat and not lean over the table, capturing her lips just so she could taste the lip gloss.

"So I've got the DJ, photographer, caterer and baker lined up. All that's left in the florist and because Luna loves the outdoors and all things fairy and fantasy, the flowers are really important to her," Hermione finally took a breath and leaned back into the booth. "So what do you think?"

Bella regarded the girl's question. She knew that she was expensive. Her flowers were top of the line and despite their location, her services were always booked and she sold out of flowers almost daily. There was something so charming and mysterious about this girl that had her wanting to give her whatever she wanted just so she could see her smile again. "I think," she leaned forward again, "I could go for a burger."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, "Bella," she whined a little. "Is this really the best time for a burger?"

"We are in a restaurant, are we not?" She handed Hermione one of the well worn menus. "Whatever you want, it's on me." When she saw the girl hesitate she added, "do you have somewhere else you need to be?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "fine. I guess I'm a little hungry."

Bella gave her the biggest grin while calling over her favorite waitress, "can't talk flowers without a full stomach. It's one of my most important life mottos."

"Is it now?"

The waitress came over, "a burger as usual, sweetie?" Bella's cheeks pinked at the use of the pet name and she nodded. "And a coke?"

"Yes thank you, Mary."

"I'll have what she's having," Hermione set the menu down.

"Burger, chips and a coke for your lovely date as well," Mary scribbled on her order pad.

"Oh this isn't a date," the words that came rushing out of Hermione's mouth dug deep and made Bella have those pesky unwanted feelings again. "I'm hoping to recruit Bella here to be the florist for my best friend's wedding."

"She's top of the line," Mary gloated. "Never an angry customer."

"There's always a first time for everything, Mary," she called after the retreating waitress. She turned her attention back to her table mate, "so what do you do for work?"

"Oh," Hermione gave her a confused look. "Aren't we going to talk about the flowers?"

"No," she simply said, waiting for Hermione to continue.

"I work at the local library to make ends meet. I'm a freelance writer slash aspiring author. Have you always wanted to be a florist?" Hermione asked before she could be hit with a follow up question.

"No. I had no aspirations but I've always loved flowers. There's just something so captivating about something dead that can remain beautiful like flowers. So, I thought what the hell and opened up my shop. My parents hated it so it made it all the more appealing to me."

"Beauty in death," Hermione thought about that, "I've never heard of flowers described that way before."

"Well they are dead upon arrival and we have to make sure they stay pretty for the customers. It's a beautiful concept if you really think about it," Bella shrugged and took a sip from her drink when Mary set them down.

"How old are you?"

"Almost 39," Bella didn't falter. "Far older than you I'd wager."

The conversation flowed back and forth between the two women like they were old friends catching up. There were no awkward silences or long pauses and Hermione even admitted to being ridiculously hungry when the burgers arrived. "Oh my god," Hermione moaned at the first taste, sending electricity through Bella's body. "This is the most delicious burger I've ever tasted."

"I wouldn't waste my time coming here if the food wasn't amazing," she took a big bite of her own burger. Hermione swallowed another bite before picking up a chip and capturing her bottom lip between her teeth. "What is it?'

"I'm almost afraid to ask," she released her lip and Bella's immediate thought was to soothe over the teeth marks with her thumb but restrained herself. "How much is the deposit? I really love your work," she had taken another look through the portfolio and knew that this wouldn't be cheap. "We don't have a big budget but I feel like this will be worth it. I can just take on a little extra work if I have to."

Bella sat back and seemed to be thinking over what she had just said, "tell you what. How about an arrangement?"

"I'm listening," she ate the chip she forgot she was holding.

"Instead of you taking on extra work," Bella smirked, "I will only charge for the cost of the flowers if you come help me and my niece prepare all of the arrangements. It'll take a few days at most to get everything set and ready. I will come up with the plan and order the flowers and the week before the wedding, you are all mine. We will be held up in the shop or my house for two days, setting all the arrangements. I won't charge for the time and labor."

"Deal," the word came out of Hermione's mouth before any thoughts could traverse her brain.

Once the food was long forgotten and the waitress came over to tell them that the diner was closing, Bella paid the bill, grabbed her bag and saw Hermione to the front of the diner. She watched as the brunette pulled her phone out and looked for a close Uber. It seemed from what Bella could see that the closet Uber was over 20 minutes out. "Where are you going?"

"Oh," Hermione sighed and looked at Bella. "I'm actually just outside of London, not too far from your shop."

Bella nodded, "not too far from me then. Would you like a ride? I can drop you off."

"If it's no trouble," Hermione smiled and told her the address.

"No trouble at all. It's on the way," Bella started walking toward the parking lot. They were walking with their shoulders touching not because it was cold outside but because of some magnetic force bringing the two of them together. She stopped in front of her motorcycle. "This is me," she smirked when she saw the excitement and terror on Hermione's face. "Never been on a bike before?"

"No."

"There's no reason to be scared. I'm a very safe driver. I assure you," she swung her leg around her bike and settled down. She opened her bag and pulled out her helmet. "You'll be perfectly safe with me," she threw her head back, curls falling down in unison as she put her helmet on. She put the backpack across her front and reached into the compartment under the back of the bike seat.

Bella pulled out a smaller helmet and handed it to Hermione. The brunette took the helmet and shrugged, "what the hell," she mounted the bike and slid into her spot behind Bella pressing her front against the older woman's back an involuntary shiver running through her body.

"Hold on," Bella instructed and she felt Hermione tighten her arms around her stomach under her backpack, her head resting on Bella's upper back. She flipped the kickstand up and ignited the engine, the cycle roaring to life. When the bike set off, she felt the brunette tighten her hold and realized just how much trouble she was in.

"Today's the day," Ginny smiled while Hermione was standing on the platform getting her maid of honor dress pinned for the last time.

"I know," Hermione shrugged and the seamstress swatted at her for moving. "Sorry," she grimaced. "I can't gain any weight this week."

"No," Ginny laughed. "Well yes but I meant you are headed over to work on the flowers after this? Right? Just you, the hot florist and her niece in her flat for a few days. Are you nervous?"

"Why would I be nervous? We are just going to be sorting out the floral arrangements. I'm a little worried about how horrible I'm going to be at this. Arts and crafts was never my strong suit but all we have to do is pay the cost of the flowers."

"And you get to spend a couple of days with a very sexy lady."

"The wedding is in three days. She said that we have to watch the floral arrangements and the temperatures so they don't wilt or die. I'm sure we will take turns. I don't even know how this is going to work. She just gave me her address and told me to pack a suitcase."

"Sounds like a good excuse for a few days of really good sex," Ginny smirked.

"I'm not sleeping with her, Ginny. I'm simply helping you get the flowers of your dreams at a low cost. That doesn't include the exchange of sexual favors," she moved off the stepping stool when the seamstress said she was done and to remove the dress carefully.

"No, those are just an added bonus."

Hermione shrugged out of the dress as carefully as possible, "I hate you."

"You love me!"

Hermione stayed and watched as Ginny tried her wedding dress on for the final time. She looked radiant and was equally excited to see what Luna looked like. For now, she was off to Bella's house. She thought they were going to be at the shop but Bella said she had a greenhouse out back and the flower order was too large for the shop. Inexplicably, she trusted this woman even though she had no logical reason to do so. That didn't stop her from packing a suitcase that morning and bringing it with her to the dress studio. Thankfully, her Uber didn't get lost this time. Bella lived in a large beige Victorian house at the end of the terrace. There were five large windows trimmed in white and a large brown door at the top of 10 stone steps. She noted the privacy fence and did in fact see a green house in the backyard. Hermione thought the home looked like something out of an old Victorian novel. Nerves flooded the brunette as she thanked the Uber driver and slowly wheeled her small suitcase up to the stairs, lifting it the rest of the way. She knocked on the door and waited with her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

The door opened and Hermione thought she was going to pass out. Bella answered the door in a pair of black spandex shorts and a ribbed tank top. Her hair was piled up on top of her head and she was wearing her glasses. Hermione noticed her feet were bare but she had a rose tattooed on the top of each foot. "You made it," she smiled and moved out of the way only slightly smirking at the obvious way Hermione was checking her out. "Let me take that for you," she gestured towards her overnight bag. "I hope you brought something more lightweight than jeans and a jumper to work in. We keep the temps very high and humid in the greenhouse so the plants don't wilt before the big day."

"Are you sure this is okay? I've never been good at crafty things. I feel like I'm just going to make a big mess out of this," she followed Bella through the first floor of the house until they got to a smaller bedroom off the dining room.

"Nonsense," Bella waved her off. "This is one of the guest rooms. Bathroom is through the other door. I hope you brought something else to wear or else you are going to be sweating," she let out a chuckle. "Dora is already out in the greenhouse. Go on and get changed. I can wait for you out here or you can meet us in the greenhouse, whatever you'd be comfortable with."

"I think I can find my way," she assured the older woman who nodded and took her leave of the room, giving Hermione space to change. She took a deep breath and relaxed. Opening her suitcase, she grabbed a pair of running shorts and a white shirt. "This should be fine," she shed her clothes and quickly changed, throwing her hair up into a bun. "I can't go barefoot can I?" She shrugged and put on a pair of thongs.

She was so curious to walk around the house and try to sneak a peek into Bella's life but she didn't want to pry. She was only there to hold up her end of the bargain so she left the guest room and made her way through the kitchen and into the backyard. The yard was fenced in and those fences were covered with fairy lights, illuminating the sky in the quickly setting sun. She looked into the greenhouse and saw Bella and her niece sitting on the ground surrounded by more flowers than she could ever recall seeing in one space. She opened the door and was immediately hit with the amazing aroma from the fresh cut flowers.

Dora looked up from where she was cutting flower stems and noticed the brunette taking a deep breath, "smells good, doesn't it?"

"Well I'm glad you ditched the jumper," Bella scooted over on the floor motioning for the new worker to come take a seat. "Here," she handed her a bundle of flowers, shears, and scissors. "We are just starting to cut the stems down. I think we will start with the centerpieces and the garlands then move onto the bouquets tomorrow."

"Okay," Hermione watched to see what they were doing, then picked up her first flower and snipped it, "like this?"

Bella looked over, "perfect."

Hermione tried not to blush at the praise but pink still crept up on her cheeks, "thank you." She looked among the flowers. There were shades of light blues and whites as were requested and the color pop that Bella had gone for was a peach color. "I love the colors."

"I thought the peach would go well with the blues and grays. I personally would've gone with black but I thought the peach had more of a spring vibe," she shrugged and continued. "Oh here," she took the flowers from Hermione and put them on the ground. She noticed the brunette wipe a little sweat off of her forehead with the back of her arm. "Told you it gets hot," she chuckled again. The sound was something Hermione had dubbed as one of the most dangerous sounds in the world. "I never got to show you these," she pulled out some rolled papers which appeared to be her hand drawn blueprints on the different centerpieces and bouquets. "These are what we are going to make over the next two days."

Hermione's jaw dropped, "we are going to make all of those."

"I never said it was going to be easy," she smirked. "We should be able to get it done. I'm not worried."

Dora looked up and saw her aunt and Hermione bent over the blueprints stealing glances at the other woman and she shook her head, "nothing is going to get done if you two idiots are staring at each other while I'm doing all the work."

If Hermione didn't know any better she could've sworn she saw a blush forming on the older woman's cheeks. Bella threw a stem at her niece, "oh fuck off or you won't be getting paid for your services."

"Hey!" Tonks mumbled, "you already gave my guest room away. You should be happy I'm here to help."

"I'm always happy to have you, Dora. You are my favorite niece"

"I'm your only niece," Dora rolled her eyes.

"Semantics," Bella smirked. "Get back to work." She let Dora connect her phone through the bluetooth speakers that were set up in the green house. This seemed to appease her niece for a little while because she worked in diligent quiet making a centerpiece.

By the time Hermione had finished cutting the stems of about 200 flowers, a couple of hours had passed and sweat was consistently dripping down her back. She looked over at the other women who didn't seem to be sweating at all. "It's rather unfair, you know?"

"What's that, Hermione?" Bella put a final dahlia into the floral foam and turned to look at her.

"I look as if I've just crawled out of a swamp and the two of you barely broke a sweat. If it wasn't for the," she counted the number of complete pieces, "seven pieces, I'd be questioning whether the two fo you were actually working this entire time."

Tonks and her aunt shared a laugh, "we've been doing this for quite some time. After so many years, your body acclimates to the heat and humidity. I suspect tomorrow you may be a little less overheated. Do you need to take a break? Go inside and get something cool to drink?"

"I don't know about Hermione but that sounds like an invitation to a break to me," Dora cast what was in her hands down to the floor and stood up. "I'll be back," she left the room before her aunt could call her back in.

"She's always been a cheeky little shit," Bella stood and extended a hand. "Come on," she pulled Hermione up to her feet. "Let's go get some water."

"Ginny and Luna are going to love the flowers," Hermione nodded and noted that Bella didn't immediately let go of her hand when she stood.

Bella must have noticed too because she cleared her throat and dropped her hand, "good. You haven't even seen the glass fairies I've acquired for the pieces. You said the one bride was into woodsy things, right? Or did I make that up." When they got inside, she walked straight to the fridge and grabbed two ice cold bottles of water.

"Oh no, she definitely is."

"Good because I just picked these up from the shop today," she led Hermione through to the sitting room which had a dozen small boxes on the floor.

Hermione opened one of the boxes and pulled out a few glass figurines. The boxes were full of fairies, mushrooms and small glass roses. "Oh my god, they are going to love these."

Bella saw Hermione's mind working as she tried to price the different pieces. "No," she reached over and took the little mushroom, putting it back in the box. That current ran through her again the moment their hands touched. "You are still only playing the cost of the flowers. These are on me. I know someone who blows glass so I got a good deal."

"This is too much," she responded quietly.

"It's really not," Bella reassured her. She came over and knelt on the floor next to the brunette as she looked through another box, finding more glass trinkets. "My one sister, Dora's mother, owns a glass blowing business. I know a crazy profession," she laughed. "She always gives me a really good deal and her staff is amazing and we're able to do all of this for almost nothing."

Hermione smiled and felt herself starting to relax, "why are you doing all of this for me? For my friends?"

Bella shrugged, "I don't know, Hermione. You just seemed like the first genuine person I've met in awhile."

"You barely know me," she responded quietly.

Bella tucked a finger below her chin and raised her head up to meet eyes, "but I'd like to." She noted that Hermione made a small noise and parted her lips slightly, staring deep into Bella's eyes. She wanted to kiss the younger woman so badly in that moment and she knew that Hermione wanted the same. She leaned in closer so their lips were inches apart, tilted her head and looked up at Hermione's fluttering eyelids, "we should get back to work." She swore a little whimper of protest left Hermione's lips before she nodded and stood, taking a long drink from her water bottle. Bella left the room for a moment and came back, handing Hermione a towel, "here. I know it's sweaty out there. We can work for another hour or so then I'll order some take away. I'm going to guess Dora will try to make her exit quickly after the food is gone so I need to keep her here and working as long as possible."

Hermione was almost positive the older woman winked at her when she grabbed the towel and started drying off the back of her neck. She didn't say anything just followed behind Bella as they made their way back into the greenhouse. They walked in and saw Dora staring at them with a shit eating grin, "where've you been?" Bella rolled her eyes and went back to where she had been working. "Hermione isn't smiling that big so I'm guessing there wasn't any quick make out session."

Bella stared at her niece in disbelief while Hermione looked beyond embarrassed, "I was showing her the glass pieces your mother made, you little shit. Now, less talking and more working or else I won't be feeding you tonight." The threat of not being fed was enough to have Dora shutting her mouth and diligently working for the next hour and a half. The shared looks between her aunt and Hermione didn't go unnoticed by the pink haired girl and she was certain that her aunt was smitten.

As predicted Dora stayed for dinner then made an excuse of having to leave because it was unsafe to drive her bike so late in the evening. Bella just rolled her eyes and told her to be back by late morning the next day. Hermione looked at her phone while Bella was saying goodbye to her niece. She had a few missed texts from Ginny, most of which were lude comments about her staying the night. She sent her a text back letting her know that she was alive and that she and Luna would be ecstatic about the flowers. She didn't mention anything specific because she wanted them to be surprised. It was just after 9pm according to her phone and she couldn't believe that they had been working on the flowers for just over five hours. She felt that they were making progress but all of the work really put Bella's prices into perspective. It was a lot of time consuming and tedious work. She had quite a few cuts on her fingers and hands due to the thorns and shears. Hermione touched one of the cuts and pulled her hand back with a hiss. "Ouch," she brought her finger up to her mouth and sucked the small amount of blood off of her ring finger.

Bella was perched in the door frame watching the other women. She was trying, really trying not to just jump on the girl and kiss her senseless. Her guards were strong and in place because she was damned if she ever let her heart get broken again. "Are you doing okay there?" She felt warmth spread through her when Hermione turned with a smile and nodded.

"Just a few cuts," she held her hands up as Bella walked closer. "What do we do now?"

"It's getting late and judging by the cuts I can see from here," she pointed to Hermione's hands. "I say we call it a night."

"I probably could've gone home then," Hermione looked at her suspiciously.

"We are done preparing stuff for the evening but now, the babysitting begins. We have to go out every hour or two to make sure the temps don't fall overnight and that we keep the humidity high or else all of our hard work will be for nothing."

"So," Hermione looked up at her companion. "We stay up all night babysitting?"

"Well no," Bella shook her head. "We don't both have to stay up all night. We can set alarms and whoever gets up gets up," she shrugged. "Usually Dora sleeps through all of her alarms so I'm used to babysitting alone."

"I'm here for the full experience," she reassured the older woman. "I've never babysat plants before so this will be an experience. What do we do in the meantime?"

"I'd like to tend to your cuts if you'll allow me," she walked the rest of the way and picked up both of Hermione's hands examining the cuts. "May I?" Even if Hermione wanted to decline the offer, her head was already nodding yes as Bella had helped her up and led her through the house, up the stairs and into a very large bathroom. "Sit," she nodded to the toilet. "Hands up on the sink, please." Bella worked quickly but carefully, cleaning her wounds with alcohol and peroxide using a cotton swab before bending over blowing on them to air dry. She then turned her hands over and gave the same treatment to the other side, "sorry," she grimaced when Hermione hissed at a particularly deep cut on the meaty part of her palm. After the cuts were cleaned, she put bandages on the wounds that were a little deeper and then placed little kisses over the bandaids. "There, all better."

"Thank you," the brunette felt her cheeks flushing at the soft treatment.

Bella put all of the first aid supplies back under the sink, "would you like the official tour?"

"I'd like that very much."

Bella smiled, "as you wish."

She led Hermione through all of the different rooms

of the house except her bedroom. She didn't want to seem like she was pressuring the girl or expecting anything from her staying over. She had to admit though Hermione was possibly the prettiest girl she had ever seen. They ended the tour in Bella's favorite room which she was sure would be Hermione's as well, "if you like the books at the flower shop then you'll love this." She gave the girl a cheeky smile before opening up the door to a room full of books.

Bella watched as Hermione walked around taking in the sights, "this room is my favorite."

"I figured it would be," she watched from the doorway. "Nobody has ever looked at my books in the shop, not once. That is until you came into the store," she walked over so she was standing directly behind the younger woman almost touching her. "I knew there was something special about you. I knew that I had to get to know you," Hermione felt the words ghost over the back of her neck.

"Why?"

"Tell me you don't feel the pull," Bella whispered, still not touching the girl.

Hermione could feel her even without the physical contact. Whatever spell Bella had on her, she felt it deep in her soul, "I feel it," came out breathier than she had intended.

"I've wanted to kiss you since the moment I saw you in my shop, fingers grazing the book bindings," she stepped a little closer and reached around Hermione to grab a book. She handed her a small book of poetry. "I think you'll like this." The brunette reached out and grabbed the book, Bella let her thumb caress over the back of her hand. "I swear you are making me question every rule and boundary I've set up for myself over the past few years."

"What rule?" Hermione finally found her voice, looking over her shoulder trying to glance at the older woman.

Bella's alarm went off on her phone and she stepped back out of their bubble, "the plants need our attention. I'll go. You can stay here or take a shower." She hurried up and left the room before she could say anything else. She rolled her eyes and stopped just outside of the library. "Get it together, Black," she told herself. "She's just another person. You barely know her. Don't be that typical lesbian who falls for a girl in a day. Last time that happened was a nightmare," she tried to convince herself but then she remembered how soft Hermione's hand had been when she touched it. "Ugh," she growled and pushed herself off of the wall and down the stairs, heading towards the green house.

Hermione stood in the library and watched the woman retreat quicker than she thought possible. She wasn't sure why though whatever Bella was feeling, she had been feeling it since their first meeting. She began to question her own feelings.

Hermione (944pm): I think maybe she's not gay or she just doesn't have any interest in me.

Ginny (9:46pm): what happened?

Hermione (9:50pm): well she fixed up the cuts I got from working on the flowers and kissed the bandages, then took me on a tour of her home. I thought she was going to kiss me and then she freaked out and left.

Ginny (9:53pm): hmm, maybe she's already seeing someone?

Hermione (9:54pm): not helping. She said I make her question all of her rules.

Ginny (9:56pm): sounds like the florist had a bad breakup. What's going on now?

Hermione (9:58pm): she went to check the temps in the greenhouse and she said I could hang out in the library or take a shower. Whatever I wanted to do. You better appreciate these flowers. I have never sweat so much in my life and my actual blood went into some of these floral arrangements.

Ginny (10:02pm): I'm sure they are amazing. Try not to overthink things with the florist. I know that's almost impossible for you. Don't do anything I wouldn't do which leaves you a lot of options. Have fun and text me in the morning.

Hermione (10:03pm): okay mom. Goodnight.

She put her phone away and spent a few more minutes grazing the books before heading back down to the guest room and taking a shower.

Bella paced back and forth in the greenhouse after checking the different thermometers and making sure the flowers were thriving. It was still hot but after doing the job for so many years, the heat didn't bother her anymore. She wanted to see what was going to happen with Hermione but she was terrified of opening herself back up. She pulled out her phone and dialed her sister.

"Bella?"

"Oh good you are up," Bella stopped pacing and sat down in the middle of the centerpieces.

"Well I was sleeping but what can I do for you?"

"I don't know, Andy," she sighed. "I need someone to remind me why women are the worst and why being vulnerable is a nightmare."

She heard her sister laugh, "Dora mentioned something about stolen glances with a certain brunette."

"There were no glances. Your daughter is an idiot."

"She is but she's my idiot," another laugh came through the speaker. "Tell me more about Hermione"

"That's just it. I barely know her," Bella rested her head on the wall and brought her legs up to her chest. "She is cute, soft spoken, funny but I can tell that if you piss her off she'd punch you out, no questions. She likes books. She got on my motorcycle."

"Any girl willing to get on the back of your death trap seems like a keeper," she joked. "What happened before with Val isn't the norm for relationships. You are allowed to feel things and Hermione is a completely different person."

"But what if I let her in and I get crushed again?"

"You won't know anything if they just remain what ifs." Bella sighed while Andy went on, "there's no harm in trying to date again. And yes I know."

"I don't date."/ "you don't date." They said at the same time. "Well you can just sleep with her. Scratch that itch. How long has it been?"

"I've given up on using women for sex."

"You must have a lot of vibrators," Andy cackled.

"Oh fuck off."

"There are some itches that can't be scratched with a toy. And I'm not just talking about sex. Human's need physical and emotional attachments. Just see how tonight goes. Dora said she's staying over? Ask her to watch a movie with you. Get a big blanket and make some popcorn. See what happens naturally."

"A movie? That's your big suggestion?"

"I'd say show her the library but you've done that. My next suggestion would be to take her to the diner and a motorcycle ride but it seems you've done that already as well. At that point I'd say sleep with her but you've shot that down so yes. A movie."

Bella sighed, "okay. What movie?"

"Do you want me to come over and just sleep with her for you?"

"I'm hanging up now. You have yourself a very bad night, dear sister."

"Love you."

Bella grumbled hanging up her phone. The movie idea seemed innocent enough. Maybe it wasn't the world's worst idea, she thought as she got up, checking the thermometers one last time before heading back inside. She heard the shower water running in the guest room and didn't want to disturb Hermione so she quickly went up to her room and got a shower, washing the sweat and insecurities away. She let herself cleanse in the shower, relaxing in the steam for longer than was probably appropriate with a guest in the house. When she stepped out of the shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and looked at herself in the mirror. She thought she looked tired but otherwise fine. It was times like this she wished she had magic and could just dry her hair instantly. She pulled it all up loosely on top of her head. Bella considered wearing her robe but decided on an oversized band shirt that hung off of her shoulder and a pair boxers.

"Hermione?" She asked as she was coming down the stairs.

"In the guest room," she heard the girl reply. "I'm just getting dressed. Be right out."

Hermione emerged a moment later wearing a pair of leggings and a tank top. Her hair was also wet but she had it in two braids. "Cute," Bella pointed at her braids.

"Oh I have to tame it somehow. I felt my hair growing in the green house. Give it an ounce of humidity and my hair takes on a life of its own."

Bella laughed, "I feel that. The problems of the curly headed people."

"Your hair is beautiful though. Your curls are gorgeous. Honestly, I bet you hear that a lot though," she cleared her throat under the stare of the other woman. "How were the flowers?"

"They said hello."

Hermione blushed, "what do you want to do now?"

"I have an idea," Bella nodded to the door that led downstairs into the basement.

"Is this where you lead me downstairs and murder me?"

"Only one way to find out," Bella grinned.

"Fuck it," she said quietly. "Lead me to my death." She followed Bella down the stairs and into a home movie theater. The far wall was covered with a big screen and there were several recliners facing the screen. There was a fridge with a see through door in which several types of beverages were kept. There was a full bar with a popcorn machine perched on the corner. On the bar, there was a basket with boxes of movie theater candy. "Preteen Hermione would've died for a room like this. First, you have an immaculate book collection and now you show me a home theatre," she walked over to the candy bowl. "Complete with gummy worms?" Hermione turned and smiled, "you may never get rid of me now."

"Dora does like to bring her lady friends over to entertain them down here," Bella chuckled.

"Oh," Hermione nodded. "I get it. You are the cool aunt."

"Or she just has friends with impeccable tastes in movies," she walked over to the closet and pulled out a bunch of blankets, taking them over to her preferred seats. "That and the fact that I don't care if they have sex down here as long as she's being safe."

"The cool aunt," Hermione grabbed some candy and walked over to the fridge. "May I?"

"Help yourself. Grab me a coke. I'll make some popcorn."

Hermione grabbed herself a sprite and a coke for Bella before going over to the different chairs. "Which one of these do you think Dora hasn't had sex on?"

"The two in the back where I set the blankets," Bella started the popcorn machine. "Those seats are off limits."

Hermione walked over to the two oversized grey chairs that were pushed up against each other. The chairs seemed to be specially made because they fit together without the center arms. It made one big chair. She plopped down on the side of the chair closest to the wall and sunk down. "This may be the most comfortable chair I've ever sat on."

Bella walked over with a big bowl of freshly popped popcorn and sat down, "it is pretty comfortable." She smiled and held out the popcorn for Hermione to grab, putting her coke in her cup rest. "What would you like to watch?"

"You pick," Hermione said, taking a taste of the salty snack.

"Is scary okay with you?" She saw something flash in Hermione's eyes but eventually she nodded. "I'll be right here if you get scared. Here," she pulled up a list of all of the movies. Pick something from the 70s or 80s. They are more funny than scary. Ease into it."

Bella was surprised that she went with Poltergeist but she wasn't complaining. She loved all horror movies. "What? It says it's PG. it can't be that scary." The look on Bella's face had her second guessing her choice. "You may have me hiding in your neck before the end of the movie."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

Bella's alarm went off a little more than half into the movie and Hermione suggested that she go out with her because there was safety in numbers. "I thought you said PG wouldn't be scary," she teased the younger woman which seemed all too familiar. She let Hermione hold her hand as they walked through the darkened house and into the night.

The next time the alarm went off, Bella reached down groggily and pushed the stop button without opening her eyes. It took her a minute to remember where she was at until she felt warmth pressed into her side. The recliners were set back and Hermione was snuggled up next to her with an arm around her stomach and head resting on her shoulder. She felt the tickle of the girl's breathing on her neck. She pressed her nose to the top of Hermione's head and inhaled. She smelled like some delicious herbal shampoo, tea leaves and mint, she thought. Hermione snuggled in closer, shifting to remove some of the pressure on her left leg, her hand moving down onto Bella's hip. The older woman almost groaned when Hermione involuntarily flexed her fingers, gripping her hip. "Hey," she whispered in a sleep filled voice. "Hermione?" She ran her free hand down the brunette's arm. "Hermione?" She felt the girl stir.

Hermione looked up, fluttering her eyes open and Bella noticed the cute crinkles by her nose, "hi," she whispered and stretched, pushing her body closer to her companion before realizing what she was doing. "Sorry," she mumbled but didn't move away. "I don't think I meant to fall asleep on you but you are very warm and comfortable. I guess I couldn't help myself." After another minute of snuggling, Hermione willed her eyes back open, "would you like me to move?"

Bella chuckled, "no. Not necessarily but at least one of us has to go and tend to the plants."

"The flowers," Hermione shot up in her seat, the blanket fell off of them. Bella noticed her tank had ridden up and now the sliver of skin she could see on her stomach was covered in goosebumps. She must have felt Bella's eyes on her because she pulled her top down with a blush on her cheeks and neck. "It's gone cold."

"All the more reason to go check on the flowers then come back into the multitude of blankets I have," Bella looked at the time on her phone. It was just past two in the morning. "Or, I can go check on the flowers and you can go up to bed."

"How many more trips do you think it'll be tonight?"

"Probably two more alarms before the sun rises. It's fine, honestly. I've gotten more rest already than I normally do prewedding. You can go to bed. I can take care of this. I'm used to the late nights."

Hermione bit her lip, considering, "I want to come out this time." She watched as the older lady nodded and stood up, reaching her hand out to take. "These chairs are deceptively comfortable."

"I've spent many night down here after falling for their comfort."

They checked on the flowers and noted the temps and humidity of the room. So far everything remained constant and there were no concerns. They stopped outside of the guest room door and just waited. Unsure of where to go from there, an awkward silence fell over the pair. "You should go to bed," Bella nodded towards the room.

"Any way I can convince you to come lay with me?" She saw something flash through Bella's eyes before she shook her head no. "Just to sleep. I'm exhausted."

"I want to. I really do but there's a whole lot more I'd rather be doing with you in that bed so I'm going to say you should probably head in there alone," she leaned in and kissed Hermione's cheek. She felt an electric shock when her lips touched the soft skin of the other woman's cheek. "Goodnight," she pulled back and promised her that she would wake her up in a couple of hours for the first morning shift.

The next day went by at an astonishingly quick pace. As predicted, Hermione had acclimated somewhat to the temperatures in the greenhouse though she still sweated more than both Bella and Dora. The center prices were completed and Bella moved on to the bouquets because she was very particular about the setting of the flowers. Hermione and Dora took care of the garlands. They had finished all of the work just prior to the sun setting and Dora didn't stick around any longer than she needed to. Bella has informed her that she needed to be ready to set up the venue at noon for a 2pm wedding.

Hermione came out from her shower and found a freshly washed Bella in the kitchen, she was setting out plates for the take away she ordered. "Smells good," she smiled walking towards food.

"Help yourself," Bella handed her a bowl, getting a good look at the girl in her leggings and tank that she dubbed as pajamas. She also had time to take a quick shower and she put on a pair of grey sweats and a muscle shirt. She saw Hermione staring at the open sides of her shirt. She didn't call her on it. "The garlands look great. You and Dora did an excellent job."

"It was fun. I'm surprised I didn't come out with more cuts today. Plus," she shrugged, spooning some curry and rice into her bowl. "Dora is hilarious. She's definitely the kind of person I could see myself becoming friends with." Bella exhaled sharply from her nose and Hermione noted the furrowed brows. "What? I'm not allowed to befriend your niece?"

"I didn't realize the two of you had hit it off so well," she said without a note of care to her voice. She walked over towards the bar stools and took a seat, Hermione scoffing and joining her at the counter.

"Well it's not like I presented her with a best friend forever necklace. I just thought she was interesting," defense rising up in her tone. "Besides from what Dora tells me, you aren't available."

"Available for what?" She quirked an eyebrow and looked up at Hermione.

Hermione sighed this wasn't exactly how she wanted the evening to go. She wasn't trying to put niece against aunt and she definitely didn't want to make the rest of the evening uncomfortable for them since she was to stay and babysit the plants again. "All she said to me was that you don't date. I told her," she blushed. "I told her that I fancied you and she said the most I'd get out of you was a casual hook up situation."

Bella winced at the words she knew to be the brutal truth. "Dora was right."

They ate the remainder of their dinner in silence. Hermione was kicking herself for even trying to broach the conversation. The snuggling last night was long forgotten. It seemed at the time like Bella was interested in her, she even turned down the offer to share her bed which Hermione noted as chivalrous. Hermione just didn't get it. "What makes you think I'm not okay with a casual one time thing?" She realized she was sounding like a petulant child at this point but someone had to break the silence.

"Are you?" Bella turned at the sink to stare at her, arms crossing over her chest.

"One night with you would be better than nothing," she shrugged. She saw Bella's face soften, "but if I'm being honest after last night I think you want more than a hookup but are just scared to pursue anything."

"And you feel you know me well enough to make that decision?"

"Yes."

Bella's nostrils were flaring slightly and her jaw was clenched. She took a deep breath, "well you don't. I'm not interested in anything because I don't date. I don't put myself out there. And I'm certainly not interested in one night with you." She saw the hurt painted across Hermione's face. "I think it's best if you go. I'll be fine with the plants tonight. I'll call you an Uber. Dora and I will deliver the flowers before the ceremony starts. I'll leave the bill with someone at the venue."

Hermione was hurt, "you really want me to go?"

Bella turned back towards the sink and grabbed it, knuckles turning white, "yes. Please just go."

Hermione needed no further confirmation. She hopped off of her stool and made her way to the guest room packing up her things. Five minutes later she heard a car honk from outside. Wow, she thought, Bella really wasn't kidding about the Uber ride. She didn't see the other woman when she came out of the guest room but she did see some movement in the green house. She shook her head and left Bella's house not looking back after she got into the Uber and gave her driver the address.

Dora pulled up outside of Bella's house at 11:30 the next morning expecting to see Hermione in the green house. When she honked her horn signaling her arrival, nobody came out. "Curious," she shrugged and exited her old pickup. "Aunt Bella? Hermione?" She walked in through the front and didn't see anyone in her quick search of the downstairs though she did happen to notice an empty guest room when she walked by. "Fuck," she thought, "this isn't going to be pleasant." She followed her instincts and walked outside and into the greenhouse.

Dora saw Bella loading all the center pieces into wooden crates. The older woman was wearing a pair of tight black jeans, a dark green lace bralette and a black suit jacket. She had her hair piled up in a top knot and had her glasses perched on her nose. She didn't need to look up to feel her niece's presence. "You are late."

"Only by half an hour this time and by the looks of it, there's still stuff to pack. The bed of the truck is open and ready. Tell me what to do," she moved inside the workspace to help, noting that her aunt was in no mood for her cheek.

"Start carrying the boxes out with the center pieces. I'll put the garlands in a container while you do that. The bouquets can ride up front with us so they don't get smashed."

Dora nodded once and got to work. They had the truck loaded and ready to go within a half an hour. Bella made a stop inside of the house to grab her wallet, keys and phone. She also stopped by her office and grabbed a cost sheet to give to someone at the venue. Dora already had the truck going, the bouquets set on the small bench that acted as a second row. She winced when Bella entered the truck and slammed the door, "drive," was her only command. She started the car and they took off down the road after putting Luna's home address into the old GPS. "So," Dora broached the subject cautiously, "where's Hermione?"

"Why don't you tell me? Apparently the two of you are best mates. I just assumed she'd have checked in to see how you were doing after you told her all of my personal business," she responded with a chill to her tone.

Dora grimaced, "it wasn't quite like that. And no. We aren't best mates. She just really seemed to fancy you and I didn't want her to get hurt."

She saw her Aunt glaring at her out of her peripheral vision. "Look," she approached the topic lightly. "Anybody with eyes could see the looks you two were giving each other the other day. She told me she liked you and I know you aren't open to dating. I'm not judging you. I know Val fucked you up but would it honestly be the worst thing in the world to thaw out your heart and try again with someone who is seemingly perfect for you?"

"Grand advice coming from the hookup princess herself," Bella scoffed.

"I didn't say I know fuck all about relationships but I think Hermione might and she might be a good way back into dating if you were wanted to try." Bella grumbled and looked out her window. After a few moments of quiet, Dora asked, "what happened last night?"

"I told her to go home," she sighed. "She told me she could see her being friends with you and I got jealous and then I got scared that I was jealous so I shut down. She makes me feel things that I haven't felt in a long time. Then she said she thought I wanted more than a hook up but she'd be willing to do just one night with me," she chanced a glance at her niece who kept an impartial face. "So then I told her you were right and that I don't date and that I wasn't interested in spending the night with her. That's when I told her to leave."

"Do you want more than a hook up with her?"

"It doesn't matter."

"So that's it?" Dora asked. "You've laid the groundwork. You've spent time getting to know her. I know you are a lesbian but nobody is asking you to move in together after the first date not all lesbians move that fast. You could take her out on dates, have conversations with her, do other stuff," she smirked.

"The other stuff isn't the problem," Bella finally cracked a smile. "Like you, I don't want to hurt her. I can tell she likes me. We fell asleep the first night on the chairs downstairs and it felt so nice just holding her. Then she asked me to sleep in her bed and I freaked out." Another few moments of silence passed, "you aren't interested in her are you?"

Dora smirked again, "no. I know when someone is into me or not and she only has eyes for one Black and it's not me."

"Hmm," Bella thinned her lips and looked out the window. "What should I do about this mess?"

"You could talk to her," Dora suggested, like it was that simple.

"At the wedding? No," Bella shook her head. "We are meant to place the flowers and go. I'm not planning on making any grand romantic declarations at someone else's wedding. Seems a bit crass."

"Hand the bill to Hermione and ask her to meet you at the shop. Something tells me she's curious enough to come over and hear what you have to say."

"Maybe," she rolled her eyes when Dora finally parked in front of a strange looking cottage with a farm outback. "Eccentric was an understatement. Come on," she said to her niece as they got out of the truck and started to unload the flowers. "Run inside and try to find one of the parents."

Dora had found one of the fathers and he pointed them to the backyard where the tents were set up. They got to work hanging the garlands around the chairs and setting up the centerpieces. Bella was placing the centerpieces on the tables when she heard a voice clearing behind her. She turned around and saw Hermione standing behind her.

She was wearing a dusky blue tulle floor length dress with a deep V cut and a matching V cut in the back. The V cut top had embellished flowers and gems which ran down the long length of the dress. Her hair was piled up in the top of her head, a few long curls framing her face with small blue butterflies clipped throughout. She had smokey eye makeup with a nude lip. "Hi," she scratched behind her ear. "You look nice. Not the typical shitty bridesmaid's dress."

"Thanks," she blushed. "You look great as well. I think you'd outshine everyone here," taking in Bella's outfit as she went back to arranging the centerpieces. Bella looked down and smirked causing another blush to spread across Hermione's cheeks. "The flowers survived."

"They did indeed."

"They look great. The pop of color you picked goes so well with the linens."

Bella cleared her throat, "about last night." Hermione was holding her breath unsure what she was hoping to hear, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to leave with an explanation."

When she opened her mouth to continue, another woman in a dress came out and got Hermione letting her know they needed to start getting the pre wedding pictures. "I'll be right there," she told the girl. "I have to go," she bit her bottom lip. "Stay? Be my guest. We can talk after the ceremony."

"I don't think that's a good idea," she pulled the bill out of her back pocket. "Can you hand this to one of the parents?"

Hermione grabbed the paper and turned to leave, disappointment washed over her features. Dora slid into the spot next to her aunt, "so that went well."

"Oh fuck all the way off, Dora. I don't know how to do this."

"We could stay for the ceremony. She invited you which is clearly also an invitation for me as well," Dora shrugged, "plus the food smells really good."

"Get in the truck," Bella stared at her niece. "We are leaving."

"Fine," she rolled her eyes. "But you are only punishing yourself. Useless lesbian."

A week after the wedding, Bella found herself thinking about the brunette, wondering how she was, what she was doing, if everyone at the ceremony liked her flowers. She had opened Hermione's text chain so many times and started to type out messages but deleted every one of them. She considered herself a pussy when it came to feelings. The due date on her bill was approaching and she had decided that if she didn't hear from anyone in regards to the payment by the end of the week then she would message Hermione to inquire about it. Dora was right, she was a useless lesbian.

On Fridays they would have three delivery vans full of flowers to last them throughout the weekend. The weekend sales were always higher as it seemed that a lot of "I'm sorry" bouquets were purchased over the course of the weekend. It was nearing 8am and she had just finished unloading the delivery trucks and was in the shop arranging the bundles of flowers in their perspective buckets before tending to the buckets outside. This was Bella's favorite time at the shop because it was a nice quiet reflective time of day where she could be alone with the flowers, some music and her niece never came in before noon so she had the time to herself. The shop didn't open until 9 so it was truly just time to be alone and experience the quiet. When she finished the flower arrangements if she didn't have any pressing orders to tend to prior to opening she would just relax and read until something came up. She was bent over a bucket rearranging the black dahlias when she heard footsteps approaching, "we're closed until 9."

"I figured you'd be a little lenient with me," a soft voice came from somewhere near the front door.

Bella paused only slightly, "I'm not usually the lenient type." She adjusted her glasses and turned to look at the brunette. "Maybe I can make an exception this time. Did you come for some flowers?"

"No," Hermione shifted under the piercing gaze of the older woman. She was dressed in shorts and a tank top with her apron just like the first time she came into the shop. She didn't want to scare Bella off like she apparently had a knack of doing. Hermione pulled out her bank card and the bill from the wedding. "I came to settle the bill," she smiled and watched as Bella nodded and walked around to the other side of the counter.

"I wasn't expecting you to come," Bella waited for Hermione to approach the counter.

"I was responsible for settling the debts with the wedding providers and your bill said payment to be made at the shop so I couldn't just pay it over the computer," she saw something that looked like disappointment flash in Bella's eyes. The woman reached across and grabbed the bank card. She turned to the computer and looked up the order in the system. "And I wanted to see you again."

Bella looked at her, "you did?" She hated the vulnerability in her voice.

"I thought I made my feelings about you clear. I want to get to know you, Bella. It's been running through my brain quite frequently. I can't stop thinking about you. I'd like to hang out with you for my whole life. You are just so interesting. We have so much in common. You are gorgeous. I would go on and on but none of this matters if you aren't willing to open up and take a risk."

Bella turned completely and placed her hands on the counter. She pushed her glasses up to rest on the top of her head so she could really look into Hermione's eyes without any obstruction. She saw honesty, sincerity and warmth in her honey eyes and in that moment she decided it was time to take a risk. "I never really dated all throughout my life, I had this inherent distrust of people and I refused to let anyone in. Yes, I did the random hook ups and the friends with benefits. I felt like something was missing. I met this woman and I thought she was everything. We connected immediately and I let her in. We dated for almost 2 years and one day I came home early and she was in our bed with her ex. Apparently the affair had been going on for months and I had no idea. I closed myself up, stopped the random hook ups, and decided it was better to be alone than to get hurt by anyone. I've found time can heal most anything, and you just might find who you're supposed to be. I was fine being alone, taking care of the plants, helping out with my niece and nephew and then you came along. You walked into my store and were looking at my books and all at once you are the one I have been waiting for." Bella took a breath and walked around the counter to stand in front of the brunette, reaching up and cupping her cheeks. "And you terrified me. Not you but the thought of you. I spent days and nights telling myself why I couldn't get involved with you and then you just kept showing up in my dreams." She rubbed her thumbs up and down Hermione's cheeks, "you've put me under a spell. I'm sure of it." The brunette reached up and grabbed Bella's wrists, almost as if she was afraid the older woman would pull away again. "When I woke up to you snuggling up against me, I thought that that was the happiest I could ever recall myself being. Surrounded by your touch, your smell and your warmth. I looked at you and a red rose grew out of the frozen ground and my heart began to thaw."

Bella rested her forehead against Hermione's and took a breath. She saw her close her eyes as if absorbing everything she just said. Bella couldn't help herself and chose that moment to bring their lips together in a soft kiss. White lights sparked behind Bella's eyes with the first touch of their lips. She had been thinking about how it would feel to kiss the brunette and her lips were softer and more subtle than she could've ever imagined. Hermione wrapped her arms around Bella's waist pulling her flush against her, their lips melding together like they were meant to stay that way forever.

She kissed her, soft and slow, her mouth closing around Hermione's bottom lip. It was nothing like Bella's normal first kisses. Usually, by this point, things were frenzied, desperate, and wild but not this kiss. The way Hermione exhaled into her mouth, fingers sinking into dark curls, sliding her body closer so that every part of them aligned, everything slow and filled with little bits of electricity seemed to awaken Bella's body.

After minutes of soft kisses and gentle touches, Bella's hand moved to the back of Hermione's neck and deepened the kiss, sucking on her bottom lip for a moment before tilting her head for a new angle. Hermione tasted like mint, very sweet and something she had never tasted before, just Hermione. The brunette let a tiny moan slip and the sound went straight to Bella's center. The moan had Bella's hands moving. She slid her hand to Hermione's neck, then to her shoulder, gliding down her arm to rest at the swell of her hip.

Hermione's hands were lost in Bella's hair, she opened her mouth more letting their tongues tangle together in a reverent dance. That was the last straw and all it took to have Bella craving and wanting more. She wanted harder, closer and faster. Bella faltered when Hermione's breath hitched when her leg was pulled around Bella's hip, providing a small amount of needed pressure against the brunette's core.

Bella's hand slipped under Hermione's shirt, "is this okay?" she asked into the other woman's mouth.

Hermione let out a deep moan and nodded, arching her neck at the feeling of Bella's warm fingers against the cold skin of her stomach. Was this really happening? Here in the flower shop, Bella asked herself. She moved her lips down Hermione's neck, nipping and sucking a path along the tanned skin presented to her. Her brain was telling her to stop and slow down but her hormones were screaming at her to keep going. "Yes," Hermione whispered when Bella sucked hard at her pulse point, surely leaving a bruise for the rest of the day. "Bella," a silent plea fell from Hermione's lips.

Bella managed to pull away from Hermione's throat to look at the girl, "is this still okay?" Hermione was just about to answer when there was a knock at the door and her face flamed red. "Seems we lost track of time," she stepped back, letting Hermione's leg fall to the ground. She straightened her apron and turned to look at an elderly man waving. "It's just Mr. Johnson coming in to pick up his Friday bouquet. It'll take me 10 minutes tops. Go on through the back. My office is past the delivery room. Wait for me?"

Hermione nodded and shook her head clear of the lust that was currently clouding every one of her senses. She just made it to the delivery area when she heard Bella open the door and greet her customer. She laughed at Bella's over friendly customer service voice and pushed forward finding a small bathroom. She went and quickly used the bathroom and washed her hands. Hermione took a moment to check herself over in the mirror. She looked disheveled to say the least. Her hair was messy and she had lipstick all over her mouth. Wetting a paper towel she cleaned the extra makeup off of her face and pulled her hair up into a messy bun. She then looked over the trail of purple bruises that were already forming down the column of her throat and it spiked her arousal again. Her underwear were uncomfortably wet and she hoped that Bella finished up with her customer quickly. She left the bathroom and continued down the small hall and came to a closed door. Inside was Bella's office which had a desk, computer, a large couch and was filled with vases of flowers. In the corner of the room there was a pile of discarded stems of flowers. It looked like she used her office as a work space. "Oh she has even more books," Hermione noted going over to the bookshelf. She walked over, helped herself to a copy of The Secret Garden and walked over to the couch, sinking into the soft cushions. She could get lost in a book quicker than anyone. It didn't help the matter that Bella had handwritten notes in the margin of this particular book. The script was pristine and her notes made her even more curious about the woman.

Bella stood perch against the door frame, leaning on her shoulder, watching as the brunette turned the pages of her book, bringing it closer to her face so she could read the notes in the margins. Bella had thought she had never seen a more alluring human. She knew she had ever laid eyes on anyone more beautiful than Hermione. Whatever this feeling that was coursing through her body was more than just a hookup. It was more than just physical. Sure, she wanted to get lost in the brunette's touch for hours but she found herself wanting everything with this woman and it was equally exciting and terrifying. "Good book?" The brunette looked up with a 1000 watt smile and it melted Bella's heart causing her to break out in her own smile. "You can borrow that one if you'd like," she watched as Hermione closed the book and put it over on the little side table.

"Was Mr. Johnson happy with his bouquet?"

Bella nodded and pushed off the door, walking over towards the couch. "He comes in every Friday and gets the same bouquet for his wife. Pink roses and lilies, red carnations with white alstroemerias and silver dollar eucalyptus. He's been ordering it every Friday for his wife for as long as I've been open. They've been married for 60 years this year."

"60 years? Wow that's a lifetime in itself," Hermione smiled.

Bella scooted closer so their hips were touching and turned her body to face the brunette, she rested her hand against the back of the couch, "I never really gave much thought to the future."

"But?"

"It wasn't a but. It was going to be an 'until'. I never gave much thought about the future until you came along," she kissed Hermione's cheek.

Hermione cupped the older woman's cheek and brought her mouth to her Bella's ear. She breathed out slightly, "I really want to kiss you again." She moved so their lips were centimeters apart.

"So kiss me."

Those three words were all it took for Hermione to slide her hand into dark curls and close the distance between them. This kiss wasn't like the first one they shared. This kiss was hot, heated, frenzied, all teeth and tongues and gasps into open mouths. They kissed like deprived teenagers until the need for oxygen overwhelmed both of them. Bella's hand rested on Hermione's thigh where her jeans creased along her hips. "We don't have to do this. I can take you out on a date first," she panted.

Hermione's eyes were blown wide with desire, "we've been on dates. At least I counted them as dates. I want you."

Bella groaned, "fuck," searching Hermione's eye for any insincerity.

Hermione pulled her back in for another kiss, softer and with more emotion behind it. "Stop over thinking. I want this. I want you."

Bella's hand slid under Hermione's shirt, skin against skin. She felt goosebumps forming and she smirked, "as you wish." She slowly raised the shirt up over Hermione's head and threw it behind her onto the floor. Bella leaned in and kissed along her exposed collarbone, bringing her hands up, cupping her breasts over the brunette's green lacy bra and sweeping her thumbs over already hardened nipples. "You are perfect," she mumbled against Hermione's throat. The vibration of her words and Bella's fingers tweaking her nipples caused a new rush of wetness to form between her legs.

One of Bella's hands slipped lower and stopped cupping Hermione over her jeans, pressing her underwear into her arching bundle with the heel of her hand. "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to touch you? Please, tell me I can."

Hermione could only nod enthusiastically as this moment was also all she had been thinking about, "touch me, Bella."

Bella pushed Hermione down, gently lying her against the couch. The younger woman scooted herself into a more comfortable position, reaching down to pop the fly of her jeans and lower her zipper. "Let me," Bella moved Hermione's hands out of the way, tucking her fingers into the top of her pants and pulling them down, leaving Hermione in her matching green lacy underwear. Bella groaned at the lingerie and bit her lip, "you are divine," she leaned forward and kissed above Hermione's navel.

"Fair is fair," Hermione pulled on Bella's apron, bringing her down into an earth shattering kiss before releasing the florist and waiting expectantly as Bella removed her apron and tank top. She sat looming over Hermione bare from her waist up. She was about to continue her previous ministrations when Hermione raised her eyebrow and Bella rolled her eyes, "pushy one you are," she laughed and stood, kicking off her shoes and removing her shorts and socks. Bella stood over the girl in just a pair of black cheeky panties. Hermione inhaled sharply looking at the full sight of the goddess in front of her. Most of her skin was covered in ink and Hermione felt her underwear getting uncomfortably sticky. Bella laid herself down fully on top of Hermione and slotted a thigh between Hermione's. "Is this all okay?" She nipped at the brunette's earlobe. She nodded and Bella sprang into motion trailing her lips down Hermione's throat and chest, sucking a straining nipple into her mouth through the fabric of her bra. Bella moaned when Hermione fisted her hands into her curls, pushing her head closer around her nipple. "Mmm," Bella hummed. "Sensitive." She moved over to the other nipple and ran her hands down Hermione's body, inching her underwear down over her hips and ass, tossing them over her shoulder. Bella sat up on the couch and watched as Hermione spread her legs, she was glistening with her anticipation. "You are so wet," she slowly ran her hands up the inside of Hermione's thighs until they reached her apex, thumbs gliding with a soft pressure over Hermione's clit.

"Then do something about it," Hermione groaned, throwing her head back when Bella obliged and ran her middle and ring fingers up the length of her sex gathering a copious amount of liquid and circling the small bundle of nerves.

Bella scooted her butt back against the arm of the couch, leaving her more room to work Hermione over. She took her eyes away from her sex, bringing her fingers up to her mouth and sucking her fingers, moaning in appreciation of her musky taste, "may I?" Hermione nodded, almost refusing to close her eyes worried she might miss something.

Slick with spit, Bella slipped her fingers into Hermione for the first time as she lapped at her clit with soft licks mingled with open mouth kisses. Bella felt fingers tightening in her hair as she continued tasting the brunette. Hermione glanced down and met eyes with her lover. The piercing gaze from Bella along with the pressure against the spongy raised nerves inside of her front wall sent Hermione hurtling over the edge. She wasn't fully recovered when Bella scraped her teeth across Hermione's over sensitive clit sending her into a second orgasm.

Bella removed her fingers and crawled up Hermione's body, she dipped her head down, nosing Hermione's cheek, "satisfied?"

Hermione only managed a soft chuckle, "to say the very least." The two shared a few soft kisses, Hermione tasting herself on Bella's lips which sparked her arousal all over again. Bella straddled Hermione's thigh and started rocking against her, riding her quickly. "I can feel you through your underwear." She slid her hand down Bella's body and pushed her panties aside, running her middle finger through sodden folds.

"Fuck," Bella groaned, rocking her hips faster. Hermione pulled her into a kiss, not stopping her hand, sinking two fingers inside while brushing her thumb against Bella's swollen clit. "Harder," she whispered against her lips, breathing the same air as her lover. Hermione crooked her fingers and swiped her clit faster all the while Bella never slowed her own hips. "Don't stop," a soft plea fell from the older woman's lips. Hermione couldn't stop even if she wanted to. Bella threw her head back, long dark curls tickled the tops of Hermione's thighs as she straightened up, riding her fingers faster, arousal sliding down into her palm. Hermione worked her faster and sat up, fingers still moving to capture one of Bella's strained nipples between her teeth. That was enough to send Bella spiraling to her release, slowing her hips while grinding harder onto Hermione's palm. When the aftershocks died down, she grabbed Hermione's wrist and her fingers fell out, Bella collapsing on top of her new lover.

They laid there basking in the afterglow of their very satisfying reunion, Hermione loving the feel of the extra weight on top of her. The steady rhythm of Bella's heart beating against her own chest was Hermione's new favorite song. Bella turned her head and snuggled her face into Hermione's neck. She shifted her body so the brunette could be a little more comfortable. She hummed against Hermione's pulse point and nipped gently at the sensitive skin, "that was…"

"Amazing," Hermione breathed out, running her fingers up and down Bella's bare back. "Should we be concerned about anyone coming into the shop?"

Bella chuckled deep and raspy, "this is your post orgasm thoughts? Maybe I need to try a little harder," she kissed the hinge of Hermione's jaw.

"Oh no, trust me. Nothing but satisfaction," Hermione's body felt like a pile of mushy warmth. "I just didn't want anyone walking in on this naked cuddle session."

"Cuddles?" Bella scoffed, "I don't cuddle," she said as she snuggled her nose deeper into Hermione's neck.

"Sure you don't," Hermione laughed. "So," she bit her lip anxiety creeping in. "Where do we go from here?"

"You're stuck with me now, pet," Bella leaned up on her elbow and stared down at the woman below her, cupping her cheek with her free hand. "This was never meant to be a one off thing."

"Good because I lied," Hermione's cheeks turned pink. "I never wanted just a one night fling. I really like you."

Bella brushed their noses together, the soft gesture pulling at Hermione's heart, "can I take you out on a date tonight?"

Hermione smiled up at her lover, beaming brighter than the sun. She parroted her earlier words back to Bella, "as you wish."