Chapter 5
It was now two weeks after they had 'slept together'. Hermione was still unsure as to why she was feeling the way she did. But the carefully detached way Ginny had begun treating her was frustrating, bordering on painful.
The lack wasn't really apparent, in fact, the only people who noticed were Ginny and Hermione themselves.
Ever since Ginny had come one night around her fourth year they had moved from friend's sister and brother's friend into a unique friendship of their own. After she had come that night, crying and confessing her self loathing, coupled with the scars up and down her arms, they had begun talking. About everything and anything for hours and hours.
Ginny had asked Hermione not to tell anyone. Since her parents already knew about her arms, as well as Madame Pomfrey, Hermione respected her privacy. It made her feel, well, not good exactly, but warm inside knowing that Ginny trusted her and wanted to talk to her rather than anyone else in her family or at school.
As people would begin to notice the absences, and Hermione didn't want Ginny to have to explain why she needed someone to talk to, she set up 'tutoring' for her. Of course, being the good student that she was, she really did begin to tutor her friend in between long and heartfelt conversations. They had taken to meeting daily, or every other, as their schedules permitted.
Much of the House became accustomed to their long disappearances, and most knew that if you needed to talk to Ginny, Hermione's room was the best bet.
After the afternoon spent in each other's arms, albeit innocently, the discussions had stopped. They were instead almost fanatical in their studying. Hermione was disappointed, but after the first few attempts at getting the conversation started had fallen horribly flat, she reluctantly gave up and sank into the excessive studying Ginny now occupied herself with.
Ginny was better at hiding her disappointment, though it was somewhat easier as she caused it. However, it still tore at her heart every time she saw the fallen look Hermione would get when she would come in and see Ginny there with her books out and quill ready. But she just couldn't bring herself to talk like they did before. She was too afraid of what she might let slip.
So she buried herself in work, and the hours were spent studying instead of pouring her heart out.
It hurt her more than it could ever hurt Hermione, but it was safe.
A/N: Torture! How I love it!!! I'll try to update more often..... may I just say school sucks? But there will be more. And I have a plan for some R-ness in later chapters, so for those cheering for sex, hang in there. I have quite a few chapters written, I just have to type and upload them. So no more telling me what to do!!! I've got this one going, and it will stop being so painful, I promise. But... you know what they say, sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.....