Falling into Cadence
Windwhisper
A/n- the second of three chapters! I'm proud of myself for having the motives to finish this- I actually have it all done, it's just a matter of typing it all up and posting it. Not as easy as it sounds, with my life *tear, tear* anyway, enjoy!
The next morning Ginny sat eating her usual early breakfast- sausage and eggs- when a small barn owl flew to her, delivering a note and pausing to nibble a bit of toast. The note read-
Ginny-
Meet me at midnight tonight on the south shore of the lake. The moon's full tonight- we can swim like we used to. You up for it?
~Hermione
Ginny grinned, and scribbled back-
Hermione-
Yeah! I'll see you then I'll be out of here by the time you come down for breakfast, and I have to spend break talking to Flitwick- I might need a tutor. Anyway, I can't wait to swim in the lake again- I swear you and I were born for the water!
~Ginny
*
At 11:30 that night, Hermione decided that it was time to go. She ghosted out of the room, down the spiral staircase and through the portrait hole (the Fat Lady was half asleep anyway). She crossed the entrance hall and slipped out onto the grounds, then ran, fleetfoot and silent, to the farthest shore of the lake, and their special place to meet.
*
Ginny had other plans. At 11:45, she crept to the window, opening it and making sure the thin steel cord was securely attached to the side of the tower. She let the coil drop, then grabbed it and climbed all the way out of the window, balancing carefully on a helpful turret she had discovered in her first year. Then she jumped, holding tight to the cord, and walked catlike all the way down the wall, helped along here and there by a chip in the stone. Soon enough she reached the bottom, and ran for the shelter of the trees and the lake beyond them, ignoring the cord, swaying lightly in the breeze.
*
When Ginny arrived at the boulder that was their special meeting place, Hermione was already there, perched on top of it, staring at the moon. Ginny climbed up next to her, innocently unaware of the thoughts flashing through Hermione's mind. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Ginny whispered-
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yeahyou or the moon?" Hermione asked faintly.
Ginny laughed, a sound like silver bells, and didn't answer. Hermione stood up suddenly, and stripped off her robes to reveal a sparkly blue tankini. It was a hot May night (a/n- unusual for England I know), so she waded into the water, and called-
"Come in! It's warm tonight!"
Ginny stripped down to her bikini (blue lightning scoring across a black background) and splashed in.
"Ooh, it is warm" she called to Hermione, who didn't answer. "Hermione?" Ginny called, suddenly feeling very protective and scared. "Where are you?" A splash echoed behind her, and she spun around, only to feel someone grab her from behind. She shrieked and Hermione pushed her lightly into the knee-deep water, landing beside her. Ginny was about to scold when something in Hermione's eyes stopped her. She caught her breath sharply as new and confusing emotions barrel-rolled through her, leaving her breathless. Then, through the air- or was it in her own mind? - came a strain of words, flowing like music
I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I love you to love me
Hermione leaned over, trying to read the depths of Ginny's eyes. Suddenly Ginny breathed
"I want you, Mione"
"I need you, Ginny" was her only response. Both girls looked at each other, blushing
/no! This is not happening! I'm notshe's not! Just, no/
/Me? And her?!?! What is upwhy is this happening?/
With an unspoken word, the two girls agreed not to speak of what had just happened. They silently departed their separate ways to bed, each with plenty to think of before the dawn.