And here I bet you thought you'd never hear from me again. Tsk, tsk, of course I'd come back and update! I'd just like to take the time to clear up one issue that came up in a review: yes, I know I never specified their ages, but that's because I really didn't want to deal with book-canon because... because I didn't. So, in order to keep Fred and George in the story, we'll just hypothesize that Hermione is a fifth year and Ginny is a fourth year; that makes them sixteen and fifteen, respectively. Obviously I'm not going by the plot of the actual books, for the most part, though while writing this chapter I was having Quidditch problems, but I simply eliminated them completely from the story. So we're all good.
Unexpected
Chapter Six: Secrets
The late October air was meandering through the Gryffindor girls' dormitory like silk scarves over fingers. It was slightly chill, enough to motivate Hermione to look for a sweater - in a roundabout way. Her eyes never left the book that was spread out over her knees; her hands did the work of her distracted vision, and found something soft with sleeves. It was only after sticking her arms through and pulling it close around her neck that a familiar scent settled in her nose, one that made her smile and skip carelessly over an entire passage.
There wasn't a specific way to describe it. It was cinnamon, or maybe nutmeg, or perhaps a field of lilies. A combination of smiles, letters, whispers, fingertips, smooth skin all rolled into a single girl, who left her mark not just on her clothes, but on Hermione's heart. Of course she would have to have chosen a sweater of Ginny's in the middle of studying. Hermione looked away and down at the pages of black text that wouldn't hold any meaning to her for the time being. She gently placed a bookmark between them and closed the thick volume with a lazy thud, the faded engraved letters looking up at her sulkily. No one else had been able to steal her attentions away from her books and studies; Merlin only knew how many times Fred had come pawing only to get let down by distracted eyes and an absent mind. He and George were more than likely too busy with Lee Jordan coming up with who knows what other products for their perspective joke shop, though she had a feeling he'd try to talk to her later…
Troubled thoughts appeared and overshadowed the vast meadows that represented Ginny in her head. The dark clouds rained softly on her brain, and she sighed to create the wind that would drive it across the sodden grass, that would come up with the thought process that had plagued her in the last few weeks. It had only been a month (which always felt so surprising, so surreal) since that day with Ginny in the Burrow, and it had not stayed there. The love they shared had only followed them on the same train to Hogwarts, and had led them to sneaking away from opening ceremonies early to drive each other to ecstasy again before the feast. The love they had admitted to had only come and driven them to visiting each other at night, in the afternoon on the days that their teachers decided the day was too lovely to waste on studying, the weekends that weren't overstuffed with Quidditch and bookwork. It had come between their sheets that had both learned how to keep secrets. It had come in corridors that were not searched or used by students and even teachers. It had come by the lake during a study session… The incidents stretched across time and emptied into a pool of memories in her head. In fact, she thought with a blush, they had planned on being together again that night - at midnight, on the dot, just in Ginny's bed. But to the both of them, it would feel like another world. Another world that couldn't be reality.
It was that part that made the dark clouds come and rain on their parade. The fact that it was all a secret, a sneaking-kisses-in-the-dark-did-anyone-see-us? kind of love. They passed notes in the hallways and stayed at safe distances away from each other in the Gryffindor commons room. They sneaked out of one another's beds at just before dawn to make it seem like they had spent the entire night there, just to stumble out of bed only an hour or two later to greet another day of classes, another day of sneaking around and acting like they were still the same, still separate entities. All because Hermione was too afraid to say anything to Fred.
Her mind was threatening to overwhelm her with emotions and thoughts when a redheaded girl walked through the dormitory door and brought them all to an abrupt halt. She was small, maybe only five feet three, with a lithe fragile look about her. Her hair seemed to absorb the sunshine and glow around her face, the tendrils of red brushing along her collarbone. She had dressed plainly for the weekend in a pair of darkly dyed jeans and a baby blue t-shirt with a certain baggy quality to it that told Hermione it had come from one of her brothers. A sweatshirt hung limply from her grasp, though she seemed to shiver after a few more steps into the dorm room and pulled it on unceremoniously.
Hermione didn't know what it was, but something about Ginny Weasley always made her catch her breath. Ginny knew it, too. Once she noticed Hermione in the room, watching her, a shy but pleased smile crept onto her face and stayed there while she breached the distance between her and Hermione's bed. Hermione patted a spot next to her twice; Ginny gladly took the spot and, with a look around to make sure no one else was there, kissed her lightly.
"Hi," Ginny said simply when she pulled away, and hid her face theatrically.
Hermione grinned, feeling a blush rise on her cheeks. "Hi," she couldn't help but reply back, and put her hands over Ginny's, tugging them away from her face. The girl complied, revealing a bright smile. "I missed you."
Ginny nuzzled her head against Hermione's chest and mumbled something along the lines of "I missed you, too." They sat there together for a while, mumbling sentences at each other in a loose embrace, kissing whenever they felt brave enough. It was a rare occasion that they had the dormitory to themselves, though hardly anyone went to their beds this early in the evening. It was only just an hour past dinner; everyone was either outside enjoying the last of the sunshine or in the commons or library doing homework.
Their faces were only an inch or two apart. Ginny's lips spread into a smile, and Hermione could feel her lips curling upwards to match it. She felt so light around this girl, this girl who had captured her heart and never let go of it. And all of a sudden, staring into the brilliant blueness of her eyes once again, Hermione felt overwhelmed by the happiness that swelled in her.
"I love you, you know," she said softly like a revelation.
Ginny's smile only grew. "I know." A few seconds passed before she added, "I love you, too."
Hermione grinned, but it was quickly replaced with a panicked look as she heard the dormitory door open. She pulled away and swiped a hand across her mouth, feeling both ashamed of her reaction and that she had to react in that way at all. One glance at Ginny's hurt and disappointed expression only made her feel worse.
"It's okay, you know," Lavender Brown said. The two girls looked at her incomprehensively. Hermione felt her throat constrict in panic. What was she talking about?
Lavender smiled, brushing brown hair away from her face. "Sorry if I caught you by surprise. I always had a feeling you two had something going on. My bed is right next to yours, Hermione, after all," she addressed the Gryffindor prefect with a tiny smirk. "And I'm a light sleeper." Before Hermione could stammer out an excuse or apology, Lavender continued. "Don't worry - I'm not going to tell anyone. Why would I, considering I know what you're going through?"
Hermione's classmate blushed; a look of comprehension dawned on Ginny's face. "You and Parvati?" she asked incredulously. "But you seem so - so -"
"Straight?" Lavender supplied for her, and laughed to herself. "So do you two. Appearances can be deceiving. But if you're going to continue the way you are, you might want to work a little harder to keep yours up."
Hermione felt worry worm its way into her belly. "There hasn't been any gossip, has there been? I mean, no one else suspects?"
Ginny tensed next to her and, with a moment's hesitation, took Hermione's hand in hers. Hermione squeezed back and held it in hers, heart beating fast in her chest.
"No, not as far as I know," Lavender reassured them, and they both sighed in relief. "Just be careful - especially considering you're using a boy to cover up." Lavender whistled and shook her head in awe. "And Ginny's brother, no less…"
Another wave of guilt washed over Hermione. She swallowed down a haughty retort and simply squeezed Ginny's hand again. "I'm going to tell him soon," she told both Lavender and herself.
Lavender nodded, understanding. "Well, just be careful with that. And I'll be sure to keep my mouth shut about it, as long as you don't say anything about Parvati and me." She smiled, probably at the thought of the other girl. Hermione couldn't help but smile as well, knowing full well she got the same way when she thought about Ginny. "We've been together for a long time. I don't want this to screw up."
Ginny nodded and chimed in, "We won't tell. We don't want this to screw up, either." The redhead looked at Hermione and smiled. "Everything's going to work out."
Hermione returned her gaze and once again felt those butterflies in her stomach, the ones that told her she was in the midst of something wonderful. "Yes," she said, both to Ginny and Lavender, "yes, everything's going to work out."
Lavender regarded the two girls she had known for years, contemplating how their story unfolded. She wanted to ask, but that was a question for another time, she could tell. For now, she would leave them alone.
"I'll try to make sure no one gets up here for a while longer," she told them, knowing full well they were only half listening to her. "Just remember what I said about being careful." With that, Lavender grabbed some parchment from her trunk and took herself out of the dormitory.
"Were you serious, about telling Fred soon?" Ginny asked Hermione once Lavender was out of sight.
Hermione inhaled, as she felt the weight of her words rest on her shoulders, but not uncomfortably. "Yes, I was," she replied deliberately. A bright smile returned to her features as she took Ginny's face between her hands. "I want to be with just you, darling. I don't want to have to lie to him and hurt you anymore." She kissed her freckled nose, then her forehead, then her mouth. "Just be patient, okay? I need some time to think. I don't want to hurt him, you know. He's your brother, and despite his many flaws he's still a nice boy."
Ginny nodded, half-smiled. "I know. I remember when I saw you holding hands after the fireworks," she said softly. "I was really sad, but I wanted Fred to be happy. I thought you didn't want me, back then. But now that you do, I still want Fred to be happy, but I don't know what I would do without knowing that you loved me back." She paused for a while, but Hermione didn't reply as Ginny gathered her thoughts. "I just… I want to be with you so badly, Hermione. I don't know what to do with myself sometimes." She laughed a little and brushed a finger against the older girl's cheek. "I love you, Hermione Granger."
"I love you, too, Ginny Weasley." Hermione kissed the pad of Ginny's thumb, evoking another smile on the girl's lips. "More than you'll ever know."
Footsteps were traveling up the stairs. They separated with reluctant sighs, and when a group of second-years finally emerged through the doors, Ginny and Hermione were deep in discussion about the book that, consequently, lied suddenly open between them on Hermione's bed. Just friends once again.
11:55. Hermione could feel Ginny's frustration from across the room, probably because it matched hers perfectly. There was one more light in the dormitory, a second year obviously far behind on her homework - or simply trying to completely ruin Ginny and Hermione's midnight date. Though it was highly doubtful that it was a purposeful delay, Hermione couldn't help but be angry. After all, it had been nearly a week since the last time they visited each other at night, and she'd gotten her hopes up about that night. She wanted things to be perfect, or as perfect as things can be when one has to sneak into another's bed without saying anything above a whisper in an ear.
At least Lavender knew and wouldn't tell. Hermione smiled a little about that encounter. Knowing about Lavender and Parvati made Hermione feel a little more okay about her own situation. She had more confidence that things were going to work out, that she and Ginny were going to make it, too.
I wonder if either of them had a boyfriend before they got together, she wondered to herself, twisting a lock of hair around her index finger. 11:56. I'll ask Lavender the next time I see her alone or with Parvati. Maybe they can give me some advice. She sighed and tried to keep it from turning into a yawn. I just don't know how I long I'd be able to keep up the facade, anyway. It's difficult lying to Fred, and even harder seeing Ginny's expression every time I do something with him. Every time I kiss him makes me feel like I'm betraying Ginny, even though I'm technically betraying Fred with Ginny. She closed her eyes for a minute, reciting the names of famous wizards in her head to keep her thoughts organized. But is it betrayal to Fred if I'm in love with Ginny? Shouldn't it be love that measures the betrayal, not necessarily the person you're with? Another glance at the clock: 11:58. Two minutes and the light still wasn't out.
She tried to catch Ginny's eye in the darkness but could only make out the shadows of the girl's body. Ginny laid in bed completely still except for her breathing and the occasional disgruntled change in position. Ginny wanted to move to Hermione's bed, she could tell. After all, she wanted Ginny in her bed as well. To be able to hold and touch Ginny without being too concerned about people watching (though now she was going to be far more self-conscious about people hearing them), sleep for an hour or two in each other's arms... Despite the risks and the pain of separation afterwards, it was worth losing sleep for.
11:59 and the candle extinguished. Hermione nearly cried out in relief, but instead, waited one more minute before waving Ginny excitedly. The young girl's face appeared from underneath blankets, and then the rest of her, and within moments, she was curled up in Hermione's arms.
"I thought she'd never go to sleep," Ginny complained under her breath to Hermione. "I was tempted to just jump on you from across the room."
Hermione nuzzled her nose into the redhead's hair. "I know what you mean," she mumbled back. "But I'm glad you're here now."
Ginny looked up at her and stared into her eyes, a light smile playing across her face. Hermione felt herself falling again into Ginny's eyes. "Me too," she said finally, and then captured Hermione's lips with hers.
The reaction in Hermione's body was immediate. Heat settled in her lower abdomen and spread throughout her body. Her mind became fuzzy, and all she could think about was the soft lips that were locked with hers and the body pressed against hers that she so badly wanted to touch.
She tugged up on Ginny's t-shirt and only took her mouth away to pull it over the girl's head. The anxious way that Ginny looked at her as she, in turn, pulled off Hermione's shirt told her she'd been anticipating this moment all day. Hermione smiled at her adoringly, feeling love swell in her heart, before obliging the cries from her mouth with another heated kiss.
The next hour or two became clouded, a blur of muted cries and naked skin becoming hot to touch and slick with sweat and cum, hair grasped between fists and bitten bottom lips. Vaguely, as Ginny was climaxing from the attentions of her tongue between her thighs, she could have sworn she could hear Lavender Brown chuckling lightly under her breath in her sleep...
They fell into a pile of intertwined body parts and held each other tightly as their bodies calmed. Hermione looked at the clock with blurred eyes: 3:00. Only an hour and a half more before Ginny would leave her. The thought made her hold onto the girl tighter.
"I love you, Ginny," she whispered into her neck, trying to keep back the tears that threatened to fall. She wasn't sure why she wanted to cry. It was probably a combination of the night's conclusion not too far off and the intensity of emotions that were threatening to consume her. Still, she didn't want to cry, she didn't want to ruin this moment of perfection, here in her lover's arms.
But Ginny pulled away from her and looked into her tear-filled eyes and smiled a bit sadly, and Hermione noticed that the younger girl's eyes were wet as well. "I love you, too." She kissed Hermione lightly, lips lingering enough to make Hermione's mouth tingle gently. "Everything's going to be okay," she told her, and kissed her forehead. "I promise."
Hermione nodded and kissed her back again, before settling back into their previous position. Exhaustion had finally appeared, and it was harder and harder to keep her eyes open. Ginny's breathing had become even and deep, and a look down at her closed eyes and slightly opened mouth told her that the girl was asleep. "I know," she told her sleeping form. "I promise, too."
It seemed that she had just closed her eyes when Ginny's eyes shook her awake, a look of sadness and desperation making her brow furrow and her mouth twist downward into a frown. Hermione looked from her face to the clock, and her heart sank. 4:25. Five more minutes until Ginny would have to leave her for her own bed.
The tears that had come before sleep had claimed them both returned full force, and this time Hermione didn't bother trying to hold them back. Her arms reached out for Ginny; the girl willingly fell back into her embrace and they held each other as they cried, both afraid of the loneliness that would consume them once 4:30 rolled around. "I hate this," she said, sniffling, into Ginny's shoulder. "I wish..."
"I know," Ginny replied. "Me, too. I hate leaving you. I hate that we have to.."
"I'm sorry." Her tears and sobs grew stronger, and Hermione was having trouble keeping them trapped in her throat. "I'm so sorry."
Ginny cradled her gently in her arms and rocked her back and forth, smoothing down her hair. "It's okay," she whispered soothingly. "It's okay, I understand.. Everything's going to be okay, I promise. Everything's going to be fine." She whispered this like a mantra until Hermione's sobs grew less violent. The older girl pulled herself out of her arms reluctantly and looked at the clock: 4:32.
"You - you have to go," Hermione told her blankly, then looked her in the eyes. "I love you."
Ginny gently stroked her cheek with her hand. "I love you, too."
Hermione felt her body go numb as Ginny left her bed, tip-toeing silently back into her own bed across the room. She saw Ginny blow her a kiss once she got there safely; Hermione waved gently in reply, then settled back into her pillow. The tears didn't stop until the sun rose in the sky, when she fell into a troubled sleep.
Now I'm falling asleep...