Since my will to write seems to be back I'll use it to finish the story, so stay tuned until the end:)
Vulnerability
Hermione sighed heavily for the umpteenth time today. Bella tore her eyes away from the book and looked down at her.
"Has the reason for your bad mood changed in the last ten seconds?" she asked.
"I don't want to go to school tomorrow" the brunette huffed.
"Didn't we already establish that it's mandatory?" Bella smiled at her, combing a hand through her hair.
"That hasn't changed my mind. I want to stay here with you."
Hermione seethed when Bella returned her eyes to her book. She straightened up from where she was laying in Bella's lap and stood up from the sofa.
"How are you so calm?"
"Whatever do you mean, darling?"
"Your trial is in five days!" Hermione exclaimed, not knowing how the other woman managed to stay so calm. She had been coming to Black Hall every day since the day after Christmas and the two of them had grown comfortable around each other. Yet Bella hadn't mentioned her upcoming trial even once. The brunette couldn't stop thinking about it when the threat of a life sentence hung over her girlfriend's head.
Bella sighed and closed her book.
"Come here, love."
The new nickname surprised Hermione and she momentarily forgot about everything else as she let Bella pull her down to straddle her.
"Do you think I don't know that? Do you think I don't count the days, hours, even minutes, until the trial? Do you think I don't want you here with me every second I have left until then?"
Hermione heard the fear in Bella's voice – the fear she so desperately wanted to vanquish. She placed her hands on either side of Bella's face and pulled her in for a kiss. She tried to show the older woman the support she was ready to give her and to convey her own fear about this. Bella's hands pulled her close, resting on her back protectively. Hermione felt like Bella didn't want to let her go, and it was a feeling she loved from the moment she recognized it. When she pulled away so they could take a breath, Hermione didn't break their physical contact; instead, she leaned her forehead against Bella's.
"Say the word and I will be here" Hermione murmured. Bella smiled and shook her head.
"I don't want you to get in trouble because of me. And it's better if we wait until all of this is over. I won't let you go then" the older witch said earnestly.
"I don't mind waiting" Hermione explained, "I just don't want you waiting on your own."
"Well I won't be completely alone. You know Cissy's been obsessing over me lately. She'll come make sure I eat something. Then get Andy because she's the only one of us who can cook. We'll be fine."
Hermione grinned, her spirits lifting a little. She was so glad Bella had her sisters again. The change was considerable.
"I'm glad you'll have your sisters. But I hope you know you-you have me too."
She rushed out the last part, not really sure if she should raise the subject.
"I do know that" Bella said slowly.
"I mean… you know… you can be-be free around me too. Share your worries. Be vulnerable."
She met the older woman's eyes and saw something in Bella snap. The next moment she was pulled into the tightest hug imaginable with Bella hiding her face in the crook of Hermione's neck.
"Thanks."
It came out muffled but Hermione understood the significance of that one word and returned Bella's hug just as fiercely.
"I can't promise you I'll start right away, but thanks for having trust in me" Bella said when she looked her in the eyes again.
"Always."
With that promise the two of them forgot all about the world around them as they spent their afternoon in their own little world.