A/N: To start off . . . MORE SLASH! That's right, you read me, another slash pairing. If you don't like it, head on out. Otherwise, you are welcome, and even encouraged to stay. I hope you enjoy your time here at Chez La Addie.
Once I again, I'm quite proud of these, but I know I could certainly use some work in all my writing. So constructive comments are cherished, and I would be ever grateful if you happened to send me one. Just something to think on. As always, I review anyone who reviews me.
As I hinted at in the summary, this is a series of drabbles, five each chapter, a different pairing each chapter. Not to say I won't ever revisit a pairing later. Now, the deal is if you leave me a review with a pairing of your choice, I will write for it, and mention you in the author's notes. A bit of fame, who could resist. The only limitations are it cannot conflict with a pairing already done, unless it takes place at an earlier time. Understand? And each review cannot be just a pairing. I'd appreciate a constructive word or two.
This time around the drabbles focus on Hermione/Ginny. Remember, I won't always do slash if you ask. Next up is Remus/Sirius, and afterwards, Ginny/Tom Riddle from the time of CoS. I need more pairings, so keep them coming.
Special thanks to: Riddle, the real one, for beta-ing for me. Without her I could not have written half as well. And also thanks to her for inspiration. You know what I mean, love. Also thanks to Lelattha for the greatly helpful review she left, which I loved to death, and for suggesting Remus/Sirius and Ginny/Tom Riddle. Thank you both, immensely.
On with the drabbles.
***
Each night, as she closed her eyes and laid underneath the red and gold masses, a head of flames fanned out beneath her, she could feel that which she dared not dream of in the waking world. Soft fabric would slide past her legs, the owner sliding with it. Gentle touches swept along her arms, over her legs, through her hair. She could feel the kisses brushing her lips as vividly as life's truth. Hands massaged her shoulders, hitting all the right spots.
A phantom girl, well known to the dreamer, loving her in a way life sadistically held taboo. In the dreams, brown mixed with red, pale skin combined with freckled, until they were one. She slept, breath uneven, hardly able to distinguish one from the other.
The sun would rise, eyes would flutter open. Around her, morning sounds would begin, as her dorm mates struggled out of bed, and shuffled around. She would lay still, hardly daring to breathe, unable to let go. Clawing desperately at the remaining strips of night, she would still her mind, as dreams slipped through her clutches without fail. Gradually, as light flooded the room, she'd forget, and join her dorm mates.
Forget, until the brown of her dreams, the pale skin of the night, would greet her hello at breakfast.
***
Fire haunted her. Nights she'd shoot up, gasping for air, covered in a cold sweat, trapped in blankets. She'd cry out from the dream world as flames surrounded her, trapping her. Buildings would crumble, friends would burn, and she would be left to witness it all. Escape eluded her.
Mornings would leave her as haunted as the nights. A crowded corridor, masses of black robes, varieties of hair, towering figures, and a mesh of flames. A head of fire, flowing flames, burned its image into her eyes. Jumping at her, swarming to her, until pain seared her arms, her face, her heart.
She was haunted and chased, plagued and followed.
And loving each moment.
***
When they kissed, that first cold night in February, Hermione could still taste the chocolate that lined Ginny's lips, chocolate they had snuck into the dorm to whisper and laugh and cry over.
It shocked her, that first kiss. How someone so full of life and ginger could taste so sweet and cold. She swore she could feel each freckle that dotted the lips of the younger girl, swore she could hear her heart echoing in the otherwise lonesome dorm.
She was surprised, at first, that the redhead, with her fiery personality, physical strength, and ability to scare all of her six brothers with a glare, was so soft under her touch. The kiss was gentle and caring, nothing at all like Hermione had imagined, yet better than she ever could have hoped.
Behind her closed eyes she could see colors flashing urgently, the golden red of Ginny's hair the most prominent of all. She could smell the spice that was her heart's desire, could feel the soft skin and lips, hear the beating of her heart, and see the red glow.
And even after they pulled apart and Ginny quietly asked her to leave, Hermione could still taste the chocolate lingering in her mouth.
***
Not so unlike the times before, she never knew what she had until it was gone.
Her mum would always warn her, those times she complained about six older brothers, warn her about taking those she loved for granted. She'd pout and sob, telling without mercy how Bill and Charlie didn't want her, Percy's pompous attitude made it impossible to get along, the twins endless jokes were becoming cruel, and how Ron's teasing and pushing was becoming too much. Without fail her mother would speak of family and love. She never cared to listen, wishing instead her mother would understand.
" . . . listening? Ginny, love, one of these days you're going to lose something dear to you, because you never saw it was there. Regret is a poison, and it'll eat you hollow."
Watching Hermione leave the dorm, Ginny knew her mother's words rang of truth.
***
Ginny would dream, all those years ago, when childhood was still fresh. Closing her eyes, she'd drift off to sleep, the sharp reality of six brothers fading away. As the thick blanket would cover her, both in body and mind, her knight in shining armor would ride up to meet her.
In her dreams, Ginny's white knight would race to her, drop from his noble steed, profess his love, and woo her in the courtliest of fashions. When awake, she would convince herself of the reality of her savior, sure he would arrive any day to whisk her into a life she yearned for.
The knight, with his armor, gallant horse, daring deeds, and infinite love, was as real as any waking moment.
Never did she dream the knight would have bushy brown hair.