Sleepless Nights
Chapter Six: Cruising
Disclaimer: Hermione and Ginny et al belong to J.K. Rowling. I am just writing for them temporarily, as she seems to be giving them a longish break. This story is fluff and will contain much girl/girl angst, romantic affection, and eventually f/f action, so if this is not your thing, there are lots of other stories out there and I recommend you go read one of them instead.
Spoilers: Prisoner of Azkaban, if you read carefully.
A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! Does anyone have a favorite part of the story so far?
Ginny Weasley could barely contain her excitement. As soon as her parents were finished putting their protective spells on her, she would be embarking on a muggle cruise with Hermione Granger and her dentist mother and father. The vacation was a reward for the twenty-three O.W.L.s that Hermione had received at the end of her fifth year, and Hermione had invited Ginny to come along. Ginny had never been on a muggle boat before, but the idea of spending two weeks lounging around with Hermione in her swimsuit was more than enough reason to agree to go.
They would be traveling as well on a muggle flying ship, which Hermione called an airplane, and seemed very matter of fact about. Ginny was slightly nervous as they boarded the plane, and Hermione may have sensed this, as she put her hand comfortingly over Ginny's during take off. Ginny smiled at her. "How long will it be before we reach the Caribbean?" she asked.
"Quite a while, yet." Hermione answered. "It was awfully nice of your parents to volunteer to make portkeys for us, but I don't think Mum and Dad would've been too comfortable with it."
"That's okay, this is nice too." Ginny responded, thinking of Hermione's hand still resting over her own. Just then the flight attendant came by with a cart, offering the girls snacks and sodas. Hermione quickly removed her hand.
Later, as they boarded the boat, Ginny was walking a bit unsteadily. Hermione reached out to help her regain her balance. "Sorry," Ginny muttered. "My dad gave me a potion against seasickness, but I haven't had a chance to take it yet."
"Don't worry," Hermione answered. "We'll be in our cabin soon enough."
"Do we get a cabin to ourselves?" Ginny asked, completely distracted by this piece of information.
"Of course," Hermione replied. "Mum and Dad will be just across the hall."
Just then, they reached the door to their quarters. Ginny gazed at the room dubiously. There were (unfortunately) two small ship-like beds separated only by a tiny nightstand. There was also a teensy closet, an armchair, and another door leading out to a little balcony. There was barely space to set their bags down.
"Don't worry," said Hermione. "We'll hardly spend any time in here. There's so much to do on the boat. I think we should change into our swimsuits. I could really fancy a dip in the pool."
Ginny smiled in agreement. Hermione was so much more relaxed during the summer. Like a different person, really. Especially when there weren't lots of other witches and wizards around, it was as though she could finally take a break from trying to prove herself twenty-four hours a day.
She peeled off her t-shirt and shorts, and began changing into her blue one- piece swimsuit. Ginny concentrated very hard on her luggage tags, as to avoid blatantly staring at Hermione's state of undress.
Ginny began changing into her green bikini, which was a great color, but rather tight, as it was a hand me down from a distant Weasley cousin. Hermione busied herself by stepping out onto the balcony, to hide the open admiration in her eyes when she looked at Ginny. The younger girl had grown even taller over the summer, and her bikini showed off not only her shapely legs, but accented her cleavage in a way that made Hermione's breath catch in her throat.
As Hermione gazed out at the choppy seas, she let her mind wander over her growing attachment to Ginny. Sometimes, Hermione could almost convince herself that the series of ambiguous comments and unspoken contact between them must mean that Ginny could, and possibly did, return Hermione's affections. Hermione sighed softly to herself. She had no way to be sure. The idea of confessing her feelings to Ginny and finding out that Ginny didn't feel the same…it was far too risky.
Ginny stood a few paces behind Hermione, aware that Hermione seemed to be completely engrossed in her own thoughts. She used this time to contemplate Hermione's incredibly pleasing figure. Her skin was smooth and tan, and her hair was as wild as ever. Her body, usually hidden away beneath their school robes, was simply stunning.
Ginny approached her from behind and put a hand lightly on her shoulder. "Knut for your thoughts," she said, and then laughed. "Or, seeing as you did get so many O.W.L.s, maybe a sickle would be a fairer offer."
Hermione turned around and smiled. "I was just thinking of that dip in the pool," she said.
Ginny moved her hand to the small of Hermione's back to steer her towards the door.
As they arrived at the edge of the luxury liner's swimming pool, Hermione paused. "Have you put on your sunscreen yet?" she asked innocently.
"Sunscreen?" Ginny inquired.
"You know, to prevent your getting sunburned." Hermione explained.
Ginny burst out laughing. "Oh, Hermione, as if there aren't a dozen burn repelling spells we could use…"
"Shh…" Hermione admonished. "We're still underage you know. Sunscreen will do just fine. But if you've never used it before, best let me put it on for you."
Ginny decided that she was liking the idea of sunscreen more and more.
Hermione squirted a generous dollop of the lotion onto her hands, and began spreading it slowly over Ginny's exposed skin. Ginny stifled a gasp of pleasure. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to the pure bliss of Hermione's touch. If only I could tell her how I feel, Ginny thought. It could be like this all the time, it would be heaven. Hermione's ministrations left Ginny's skin feeling all flushed and tingling. With great effort, Ginny pulled herself back to reality.
So she doesn't want me to get sunburned, she thought. It doesn't mean she's in love with me or anything.
"Finished?" she asked, as Hermione put the cap back on the bottle.
"Oh yes," Hermione said. "You don't really need to put on too much."
Ginny silently cursed the makers of sunscreen for this obvious defect in their product. Shortly, however, she recovered enough to ask, "Well, aren't you going to let me do you?"
Hermione grinned to herself. This offer was exactly what she had secretly been hoping for. She handed Ginny the bottle. Ginny applied the sunscreen just as Hermione had, rubbing it over the older girl's skin in wide circles. Hermione savored every moment of Ginny's hands on her body. At least she isn't repulsed by the idea of touching me, Hermione thought. Then again, she might be repulsed by the kind of touching I'd like from her… Idly, Hermione wondered if the Time Turner she had used during her third year could be modified to freeze time in moments like these. Much too soon, Ginny was also finished.
The next two weeks passed in a blur of ocean breezes and tropical sunshine. Their days were spent sunning themselves on the deck, swimming in the pool, eating enormous amounts of gourmet food in the ship's banquet rooms, and shopping in all the various ports of call. Ginny was just as enthusiastic as any of her brothers about good food, and Hermione often reminded her that the cruise line's food could be eaten without guilt, as it wasn't prepared by elfish slave labor. Hermione particularly enjoyed visiting each town that the ship docked in, dragging Ginny along to any local magical or muggle historic sites. Ginny went along willingly, as it made Hermione so happy.
Hermione was, in fact, happier than Ginny had ever seen her. Whether it was the astonishing number of O.W.L.s she had received, or the absence of the relentless pressure she seemed to place on herself when they were at school, or just the beautiful surroundings they found themselves in everyday, Hermione seemed to smile more often, and laugh more freely than Ginny was accustomed to.
The beautiful surroundings actually had quite a lot to do with Hermione's mood, as she got to spend hours stealing hungry glances at Ginny as they laid side by side in white lounge chairs, soaking up sun and flipping through copies of Witch Weekly (which had been cleverly charmed to look like issues of Cosmo to muggle eyes). Some days, Hermione could almost let herself pretend that Ginny was her…well, her girlfriend. They spent so much time together, and got along so well, and they never seemed to run out of things to talk about.
It was the talking that Ginny liked best. Late at night they would retire to their cabin and stay up half the night discussing their families, and school, and their friends, and their plans for the future, and their favorite music, spells, and books. They talked about anything and everything.
Well, almost everything, Ginny thought ruefully. Every time she tried to work up to telling Hermione how she felt, she would always lose her nerve. She kept trying to bring it up gradually, but so far it hadn't been going very well.
On the last night of the cruise, they settled down into their narrow twin beds, and Ginny resolved to try and steer the conversation in a promising direction.
"Hermione," she said, looking over at the other girl in the darkness. "Remember after the Yule Ball during your fourth year, when Viktor kissed you? You know how you said it just wasn't what everyone said it will be? Do you think it was just because it was Viktor that you were kissing?"
Hermione considered Ginny's question for a moment. She had known, even back then, that kissing Viktor felt wrong, not because of Viktor himself, but because Viktor was a boy. And Hermione didn't like boys. Well, not like that, anyway. But she couldn't possibly tell Ginny that without also telling her about her longstanding crush on her. And that was completely out of the question.
Ginny watched Hermione anxiously. After a long while, Hermione turned towards her and slowly answered, "Well, yes and no. I mean, I guess there was just no…spark…with Viktor. But I don't think it had to do with him, really. I mean, I never felt it with any of the other boys either." There. That was a good answer, Hermione thought.
"Other boys?" Ginny said in a strangely choked voice.
"Oh well, it's not like there've been loads of boys," Hermione sighed. She would have quite willingly have traded all the sloppy amorous advances she'd received from them for about two minutes of time with Ginny. "Just Justin Finch-Fletchley," she continued, "and Ron."
Ginny was suddenly very glad that Ron was back at the Burrow and not anywhere on the boat with them. She had a very strong desire to push him overboard.
"And what about you, Ms. Weasley?" Hermione asked, deftly switching the focus of the conversation onto Ginny. "There was a rumor going around like wildfire last year that Harry kissed you at the Yule Ball."
"Oh for goodness sake," Ginny responded dismissively. "I can't believe everyone made such a big deal of that. It only happened because he'd had about five butterbeers and we were standing underneath the mistletoe that Fred and George had put that Unstoppable Snogging Charm on." She paused for a moment, then continued. "And, well, that's sort-of why I was asking you about Viktor. I didn't feel any blinding flash of passion either." It wasn't anything like what it would have been with you, Ginny thought silently.
Hermione didn't respond right away. Her mind was filled with fantasies of what it would be like to kiss Ginny herself. She felt more than a spark at the very thought of it, she felt like she was on fire.
"Well," Hermione said softly, "maybe it does just have to be with the right…person."
Ginny was staring directly at Hermione, imagining what it would feel like to kiss her. She could imagine the soft feel of her lips and the taste of her mouth.
The small room suddenly seemed full of an indefinable tension. It crackled in the darkness between them. They were less than two feet apart. Both their hearts were pounding. Both girls were imagining what it would be like to just reach across to the other and tumble together in a heap of frenzied desire. Neither Gryffindor was brave enough to move. Eventually, the moment passed.
"Goodnight, Hermione." Ginny said resignedly. She rolled over and let the gentle rocking motion of the ship lull her to sleep.
Hermione soon drifted off to sleep as well. She had a wonderful dream. In it, she and Ginny were sitting at a round kitchen table. Their kitchen table. Ginny was buttering a piece of toast, and Hermione was playfully feeding her a strawberry. There was sunlight streaming in the kitchen window, and the sound of birds chirping outside. When Ginny had finished eating the strawberry, she leaned over and kissed Hermione. "Ginny," Hermione gasped. The kiss was everything that Hermione had ever imagined it would be. Ginny's hands were tangled in her hair, and Hermione's heart felt like it would explode with happiness. "Oooh, Ginny…" she moaned. Ginny tilted her head back and kissed her harder.
As the first rays of sunlight inched into the girl's cabin, Ginny Weasley awoke to the sound of Hermione calling her name. She sat up groggily, and looked over at Hermione, who was apparently still asleep. She shook her head, certain it was probably just her imagination, which was proving to be quite overactive where Hermione was concerned.
Then she heard it again.
"Oooh, Ginny…" Hermione moaned. Ginny could barely believe her ears. Hermione must be dreaming, she thought. And moaning my name in her sleep? Ginny stared at Hermione, completely transfixed. The older girl had both arms wrapped tightly around her pillow, and was mumbling many incoherent words and phrases, which sounded a bit like, "Oh God," and "Mmm…yes." Ginny heard her own name come up several more times. Her mind was in a whirl. Her heart was racing.
When Hermione eventually woke up that morning, she stretched luxuriously, a feeling of great contentment washing over her. Then she realized she had been dreaming. She felt so disappointed she almost burst into tears. Then she noticed Ginny staring at her intently from the opposite bed.
"You seemed to be having quite a good dream," Ginny said innocently.
Hermione blushed scarlet. If Ginny only knew… "Er…yes, it was lovely."
"What were you dreaming about?" Ginny wondered aloud.
Hermione's thoughts scrambled for a moment, as images of kissing Ginny flashed through her mind. She had tasted like strawberries. "I was dreaming about breakfast!" Hermione answered triumphantly. "And I think we should go get something to eat, don't you?"
"And make your dream come true?" Ginny asked teasingly, watching Hermione's reactions closely.
Hermione gulped. "Yes," she said. "I suppose so."
The girls ate breakfast quietly. Hermione was keenly absorbed in her own thoughts, trying to recapture every moment of her wonderful dream. Ginny felt a cautious hopefulness growing inside of her as she continued her careful scrutiny of Hermione throughout the meal, her mind also on Hermione's dream.
Chapter Six: Cruising
Disclaimer: Hermione and Ginny et al belong to J.K. Rowling. I am just writing for them temporarily, as she seems to be giving them a longish break. This story is fluff and will contain much girl/girl angst, romantic affection, and eventually f/f action, so if this is not your thing, there are lots of other stories out there and I recommend you go read one of them instead.
Spoilers: Prisoner of Azkaban, if you read carefully.
A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews! Does anyone have a favorite part of the story so far?
Ginny Weasley could barely contain her excitement. As soon as her parents were finished putting their protective spells on her, she would be embarking on a muggle cruise with Hermione Granger and her dentist mother and father. The vacation was a reward for the twenty-three O.W.L.s that Hermione had received at the end of her fifth year, and Hermione had invited Ginny to come along. Ginny had never been on a muggle boat before, but the idea of spending two weeks lounging around with Hermione in her swimsuit was more than enough reason to agree to go.
They would be traveling as well on a muggle flying ship, which Hermione called an airplane, and seemed very matter of fact about. Ginny was slightly nervous as they boarded the plane, and Hermione may have sensed this, as she put her hand comfortingly over Ginny's during take off. Ginny smiled at her. "How long will it be before we reach the Caribbean?" she asked.
"Quite a while, yet." Hermione answered. "It was awfully nice of your parents to volunteer to make portkeys for us, but I don't think Mum and Dad would've been too comfortable with it."
"That's okay, this is nice too." Ginny responded, thinking of Hermione's hand still resting over her own. Just then the flight attendant came by with a cart, offering the girls snacks and sodas. Hermione quickly removed her hand.
Later, as they boarded the boat, Ginny was walking a bit unsteadily. Hermione reached out to help her regain her balance. "Sorry," Ginny muttered. "My dad gave me a potion against seasickness, but I haven't had a chance to take it yet."
"Don't worry," Hermione answered. "We'll be in our cabin soon enough."
"Do we get a cabin to ourselves?" Ginny asked, completely distracted by this piece of information.
"Of course," Hermione replied. "Mum and Dad will be just across the hall."
Just then, they reached the door to their quarters. Ginny gazed at the room dubiously. There were (unfortunately) two small ship-like beds separated only by a tiny nightstand. There was also a teensy closet, an armchair, and another door leading out to a little balcony. There was barely space to set their bags down.
"Don't worry," said Hermione. "We'll hardly spend any time in here. There's so much to do on the boat. I think we should change into our swimsuits. I could really fancy a dip in the pool."
Ginny smiled in agreement. Hermione was so much more relaxed during the summer. Like a different person, really. Especially when there weren't lots of other witches and wizards around, it was as though she could finally take a break from trying to prove herself twenty-four hours a day.
She peeled off her t-shirt and shorts, and began changing into her blue one- piece swimsuit. Ginny concentrated very hard on her luggage tags, as to avoid blatantly staring at Hermione's state of undress.
Ginny began changing into her green bikini, which was a great color, but rather tight, as it was a hand me down from a distant Weasley cousin. Hermione busied herself by stepping out onto the balcony, to hide the open admiration in her eyes when she looked at Ginny. The younger girl had grown even taller over the summer, and her bikini showed off not only her shapely legs, but accented her cleavage in a way that made Hermione's breath catch in her throat.
As Hermione gazed out at the choppy seas, she let her mind wander over her growing attachment to Ginny. Sometimes, Hermione could almost convince herself that the series of ambiguous comments and unspoken contact between them must mean that Ginny could, and possibly did, return Hermione's affections. Hermione sighed softly to herself. She had no way to be sure. The idea of confessing her feelings to Ginny and finding out that Ginny didn't feel the same…it was far too risky.
Ginny stood a few paces behind Hermione, aware that Hermione seemed to be completely engrossed in her own thoughts. She used this time to contemplate Hermione's incredibly pleasing figure. Her skin was smooth and tan, and her hair was as wild as ever. Her body, usually hidden away beneath their school robes, was simply stunning.
Ginny approached her from behind and put a hand lightly on her shoulder. "Knut for your thoughts," she said, and then laughed. "Or, seeing as you did get so many O.W.L.s, maybe a sickle would be a fairer offer."
Hermione turned around and smiled. "I was just thinking of that dip in the pool," she said.
Ginny moved her hand to the small of Hermione's back to steer her towards the door.
As they arrived at the edge of the luxury liner's swimming pool, Hermione paused. "Have you put on your sunscreen yet?" she asked innocently.
"Sunscreen?" Ginny inquired.
"You know, to prevent your getting sunburned." Hermione explained.
Ginny burst out laughing. "Oh, Hermione, as if there aren't a dozen burn repelling spells we could use…"
"Shh…" Hermione admonished. "We're still underage you know. Sunscreen will do just fine. But if you've never used it before, best let me put it on for you."
Ginny decided that she was liking the idea of sunscreen more and more.
Hermione squirted a generous dollop of the lotion onto her hands, and began spreading it slowly over Ginny's exposed skin. Ginny stifled a gasp of pleasure. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to the pure bliss of Hermione's touch. If only I could tell her how I feel, Ginny thought. It could be like this all the time, it would be heaven. Hermione's ministrations left Ginny's skin feeling all flushed and tingling. With great effort, Ginny pulled herself back to reality.
So she doesn't want me to get sunburned, she thought. It doesn't mean she's in love with me or anything.
"Finished?" she asked, as Hermione put the cap back on the bottle.
"Oh yes," Hermione said. "You don't really need to put on too much."
Ginny silently cursed the makers of sunscreen for this obvious defect in their product. Shortly, however, she recovered enough to ask, "Well, aren't you going to let me do you?"
Hermione grinned to herself. This offer was exactly what she had secretly been hoping for. She handed Ginny the bottle. Ginny applied the sunscreen just as Hermione had, rubbing it over the older girl's skin in wide circles. Hermione savored every moment of Ginny's hands on her body. At least she isn't repulsed by the idea of touching me, Hermione thought. Then again, she might be repulsed by the kind of touching I'd like from her… Idly, Hermione wondered if the Time Turner she had used during her third year could be modified to freeze time in moments like these. Much too soon, Ginny was also finished.
The next two weeks passed in a blur of ocean breezes and tropical sunshine. Their days were spent sunning themselves on the deck, swimming in the pool, eating enormous amounts of gourmet food in the ship's banquet rooms, and shopping in all the various ports of call. Ginny was just as enthusiastic as any of her brothers about good food, and Hermione often reminded her that the cruise line's food could be eaten without guilt, as it wasn't prepared by elfish slave labor. Hermione particularly enjoyed visiting each town that the ship docked in, dragging Ginny along to any local magical or muggle historic sites. Ginny went along willingly, as it made Hermione so happy.
Hermione was, in fact, happier than Ginny had ever seen her. Whether it was the astonishing number of O.W.L.s she had received, or the absence of the relentless pressure she seemed to place on herself when they were at school, or just the beautiful surroundings they found themselves in everyday, Hermione seemed to smile more often, and laugh more freely than Ginny was accustomed to.
The beautiful surroundings actually had quite a lot to do with Hermione's mood, as she got to spend hours stealing hungry glances at Ginny as they laid side by side in white lounge chairs, soaking up sun and flipping through copies of Witch Weekly (which had been cleverly charmed to look like issues of Cosmo to muggle eyes). Some days, Hermione could almost let herself pretend that Ginny was her…well, her girlfriend. They spent so much time together, and got along so well, and they never seemed to run out of things to talk about.
It was the talking that Ginny liked best. Late at night they would retire to their cabin and stay up half the night discussing their families, and school, and their friends, and their plans for the future, and their favorite music, spells, and books. They talked about anything and everything.
Well, almost everything, Ginny thought ruefully. Every time she tried to work up to telling Hermione how she felt, she would always lose her nerve. She kept trying to bring it up gradually, but so far it hadn't been going very well.
On the last night of the cruise, they settled down into their narrow twin beds, and Ginny resolved to try and steer the conversation in a promising direction.
"Hermione," she said, looking over at the other girl in the darkness. "Remember after the Yule Ball during your fourth year, when Viktor kissed you? You know how you said it just wasn't what everyone said it will be? Do you think it was just because it was Viktor that you were kissing?"
Hermione considered Ginny's question for a moment. She had known, even back then, that kissing Viktor felt wrong, not because of Viktor himself, but because Viktor was a boy. And Hermione didn't like boys. Well, not like that, anyway. But she couldn't possibly tell Ginny that without also telling her about her longstanding crush on her. And that was completely out of the question.
Ginny watched Hermione anxiously. After a long while, Hermione turned towards her and slowly answered, "Well, yes and no. I mean, I guess there was just no…spark…with Viktor. But I don't think it had to do with him, really. I mean, I never felt it with any of the other boys either." There. That was a good answer, Hermione thought.
"Other boys?" Ginny said in a strangely choked voice.
"Oh well, it's not like there've been loads of boys," Hermione sighed. She would have quite willingly have traded all the sloppy amorous advances she'd received from them for about two minutes of time with Ginny. "Just Justin Finch-Fletchley," she continued, "and Ron."
Ginny was suddenly very glad that Ron was back at the Burrow and not anywhere on the boat with them. She had a very strong desire to push him overboard.
"And what about you, Ms. Weasley?" Hermione asked, deftly switching the focus of the conversation onto Ginny. "There was a rumor going around like wildfire last year that Harry kissed you at the Yule Ball."
"Oh for goodness sake," Ginny responded dismissively. "I can't believe everyone made such a big deal of that. It only happened because he'd had about five butterbeers and we were standing underneath the mistletoe that Fred and George had put that Unstoppable Snogging Charm on." She paused for a moment, then continued. "And, well, that's sort-of why I was asking you about Viktor. I didn't feel any blinding flash of passion either." It wasn't anything like what it would have been with you, Ginny thought silently.
Hermione didn't respond right away. Her mind was filled with fantasies of what it would be like to kiss Ginny herself. She felt more than a spark at the very thought of it, she felt like she was on fire.
"Well," Hermione said softly, "maybe it does just have to be with the right…person."
Ginny was staring directly at Hermione, imagining what it would feel like to kiss her. She could imagine the soft feel of her lips and the taste of her mouth.
The small room suddenly seemed full of an indefinable tension. It crackled in the darkness between them. They were less than two feet apart. Both their hearts were pounding. Both girls were imagining what it would be like to just reach across to the other and tumble together in a heap of frenzied desire. Neither Gryffindor was brave enough to move. Eventually, the moment passed.
"Goodnight, Hermione." Ginny said resignedly. She rolled over and let the gentle rocking motion of the ship lull her to sleep.
Hermione soon drifted off to sleep as well. She had a wonderful dream. In it, she and Ginny were sitting at a round kitchen table. Their kitchen table. Ginny was buttering a piece of toast, and Hermione was playfully feeding her a strawberry. There was sunlight streaming in the kitchen window, and the sound of birds chirping outside. When Ginny had finished eating the strawberry, she leaned over and kissed Hermione. "Ginny," Hermione gasped. The kiss was everything that Hermione had ever imagined it would be. Ginny's hands were tangled in her hair, and Hermione's heart felt like it would explode with happiness. "Oooh, Ginny…" she moaned. Ginny tilted her head back and kissed her harder.
As the first rays of sunlight inched into the girl's cabin, Ginny Weasley awoke to the sound of Hermione calling her name. She sat up groggily, and looked over at Hermione, who was apparently still asleep. She shook her head, certain it was probably just her imagination, which was proving to be quite overactive where Hermione was concerned.
Then she heard it again.
"Oooh, Ginny…" Hermione moaned. Ginny could barely believe her ears. Hermione must be dreaming, she thought. And moaning my name in her sleep? Ginny stared at Hermione, completely transfixed. The older girl had both arms wrapped tightly around her pillow, and was mumbling many incoherent words and phrases, which sounded a bit like, "Oh God," and "Mmm…yes." Ginny heard her own name come up several more times. Her mind was in a whirl. Her heart was racing.
When Hermione eventually woke up that morning, she stretched luxuriously, a feeling of great contentment washing over her. Then she realized she had been dreaming. She felt so disappointed she almost burst into tears. Then she noticed Ginny staring at her intently from the opposite bed.
"You seemed to be having quite a good dream," Ginny said innocently.
Hermione blushed scarlet. If Ginny only knew… "Er…yes, it was lovely."
"What were you dreaming about?" Ginny wondered aloud.
Hermione's thoughts scrambled for a moment, as images of kissing Ginny flashed through her mind. She had tasted like strawberries. "I was dreaming about breakfast!" Hermione answered triumphantly. "And I think we should go get something to eat, don't you?"
"And make your dream come true?" Ginny asked teasingly, watching Hermione's reactions closely.
Hermione gulped. "Yes," she said. "I suppose so."
The girls ate breakfast quietly. Hermione was keenly absorbed in her own thoughts, trying to recapture every moment of her wonderful dream. Ginny felt a cautious hopefulness growing inside of her as she continued her careful scrutiny of Hermione throughout the meal, her mind also on Hermione's dream.