It was Thursday evening at The Dark Mark and both Bella and Tonks had just finished up with their last clients of the day. Tonks had to admit that it had been a pretty stressful week at the shop. Her aunt hadn't been the friendliest since their night at the pub and she knew better than to try to press Bella for information. Narcissa had tried a few times only to be snapped at by her older sister. This of course led to Narcissa not returning for the rest of the week. Tonks just kept her mouth shut no matter how desperate she was to find out the sorted details of Bella's anger. She was missing the company of a certain brunette shop girl. She also hadn't seen or heard from her since the night at the pub. Obviously something happened between her aunt and Hermione but she wasn't about to get kicked out for asking questions. Maybe though, just maybe if she engaged her aunt in conversation, she would open up on her own.

"So, any big weekend plans?" Tonks asked her aunt, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"No. Does it seem to you that my social life is booming these days?"

"Yeah. No me neither really. I'll just probably go to the pub with some friends." Tonks looked over to gauge her Aunt's reaction and saw that her face had softened a little after snapping at her. If Tonks had been talking to anyone besides her stubborn aunt, she'd have expected an apology to accompany that particular facial expression. Tonks took this as her sign to press a little further. "It was fun last weekend right? We should do that again sometime. You, me, Hermione..."

Bella got up from her stool and started to break down her station. "Yeah well. I don't think we will be counting on Hermione to make an appearance at the pub anytime soon."

"Did she quit?"

"No. Not exactly. At least I don't think she did."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know." Bella growled out in frustration.

"I know you fancy her. It's okay. You don't have to admit it. The tension that was buzzing around the two of you last weekend was insane. Whatever happened, I hope you can sort it out. She was fun to have around here."

"I don't want to talk about it." Bella said quietly.

"Didn't think you would."

After a few minutes of silent cleaning, Bella spoke up. "She kissed me."

"She what?" Tonks asked, turning to look at Bella.

"She kissed me in the pub bathroom. She *kissed* me." Bella enunciated.

"Okay. What's the problem? You fancy her and she fancies you."

"She kissed me. Then she announced it was a mistake and ran from the pub like kissing me was the worst decision she had ever made." Bella said, slamming her discarded supplies into the rubbish bin and kicking her stool across the room.

"Wow okay." Tonks said scratching behind her ear. "I didn't actually expect you to tell me anything. Umm." Tonks hesitated when Bella glared at her. "Have you tried texting her?"

"Me? Text her? She walked out on me. Bella Black doesn't get walked out on." She held her chin a little higher.

"Yeah that may be true but you're her boss. Aren't you supposed to text her when there's a shift for her?"

"Well... we haven't needed her this week. We got by just fine on our own I'd say."

"Is that why Aunt Narcissa hasn't been back. Seems to me like this tense atmosphere you've created around here..." she saw Bella glare again. "Okay let me try that again. I think we will get back to normal again once you and Hermione sort out whatever it is that's going on."

"Well, she hasn't made any attempts to text me either, you know." Bella said, sounding a little hurt.

"Look tomorrow is Friday. She usually works Friday. She'll probably be wondering why you haven't texted her. Maybe she'll reach out. If not, suck up your pride Aunty and text her. Trust me when I say, we need her." Tonks finished cleaning her area and packed up her book bag before flinging it over her shoulder and walking to the door. "Oh and if it's any consolation, when we were we sat on the bench, Hermione pretty much admitting to fancying you as well." Tonks waved bye to her aunt and left for the evening.

—-

"Well that's it. I guess I'm fired." Hermione said, storming out of her bedroom into the living area and flopping down onto the armchair.

"Why is that again?" Luna asked while laying in the middle of the floor with her eyes closed.

"Because she kissed her boss then fucked off before anything could be resolved." Ginny shouted from the kitchen.

"Ugh" Hermione let out the most frustrated sigh and buried her head in her hands. "It wasn't like that. I was drunk. It was a mistake. At least I think it might have been? As we've already exhausted the topic... I fled like an idiot before anything could be resolved."

"She kissed you back." Ginny said coming around the side of the chair holding out a drink that Hermione gladly took.

"That doesn't mean it was appropriate for me to just haul out and kiss her."

"If it wasn't wanted she would've stopped you. Was she even drunk?" Ginny said calmly but trying to reason with Hermione was usually a lost cause.

"Hmm." Hermione thought, taking a sip from her drink and grimacing at the overwhelming taste of vodka. "I don't recall her drinking anything except water."

"Seems like a big misunderstanding to me." The blonde added from the floor.

"Luna's right. Just get over your embarrassment and talk to her. Plus you fancy the shit out of her. You owe it to yourself to see if the feelings are reciprocated." Ginny smiled while sitting on the floor next to Luna. She pulled the blonde's head until it was resting in her lap.

"How could she even possibly be interested in me?"

"Oh come off it Hermione. You are a catch. Smart, clever, beautiful. What's not to want?"

"She's right, you know." Luna opened her eyes, turning her head slightly to look at the brunette. "She'd be lucky to have a chance with you. It's been a long time since you've had someone special in your life, Hermione. What's the worst that could happen?" Luna's question was cut off by her silence as Ginny started absentmindedly running her fingers through her girlfriend's long blonde hair.

"She's my boss. At least I think she's still my boss."

"I think since you ran out on her that the ball is in your court, Mione. I'm guessing Bella is suffering from a condition called hurt feelings."

"Shit, maybe you guys are right. I can at least send her a text tonight to see if they want me to come in to work tomorrow."

"Get it girl." Ginny shouted after Hermione as she took her drink, her phone and walked back into her bedroom while closing the door behind her.

Hermione had long since finished the drink that Ginny had made her. She sat on her bed and stared at her phone. It had been nearly 20 minutes since she texted "hi" to Bella. "I don't know what I was expecting. What a dumb message. 'Hi.'" Hermione said to herself. Just as she threw her phone onto the bed and went to refill her drink she noticed three dots appear on the screen. Hermione's heart started pumping quickly.

9:58pm

hello.

9:59pm

hi!

10:00pm

you already said Hello.

10:01pm

how are you?

Hermione gulped. "What a stupid thing to say?" She reprimanded herself.

10:05pm

is there something you needed, Hermione?

"Fuck." Hermione could sense the closed off nature of the other woman through her texts. "She is mad at me. I have to make this right."

10:06pm

is there a shift available for me tomorrow?

10:08pm

no.

10:10pm

oh okay. Sorry to bother you. Have a nice night.

10:15pm

you've misunderstood. We won't be open. It's a bank holiday on Monday so I close the shop and we all take a nice long four day weekend. You are welcome to come back next Friday.

10:17pm

oh okay. I'll be there.

Hermione took the opportunity to slip out and refill her drink. When she came back in she noticed that she hadn't received any more messages. "Just do it, Hermione. Stop being a pussy and just apologize."

10:20pm

Bella. I wanted to apologize.

10:22pm

oh?

"Of course she wouldn't make this easy for me." Hermione rolled her eyes taking a big gulp from her drink. Feeling the tingly feeling from being slightly tipsy was all the encouragement she needed.

10:23pm

I shouldn't have kissed you when I was drunk.

10:26pm

you said that. I heard you loud and clear.

10:29pm

okay... What I meant by that is I wanted to kiss you. Since our first meeting. I just should've waited until I wasn't so drunk.

Hermione pushed the send button and slid down to lay on her back.

10:32pm

anyways. I just wanted to apologize. I freaked because I thought you were going to say it was a mistake.

Hermione jumped when her phone started to vibrate in her hands. "Oh shit. She's calling me?"

"Hello?" Hermione answered.

"So let me get this straight. You wanted to kiss me all night. The alcohol aided in your bravery so you did kiss me. I kissed you back with vigor. That might have been my best bathroom snogging performance and you thought that I was going to reject you. So what? You thought you'd beat me to it and reject me first then run away?" Bella said with a clearly amused lilt in her voice.

"Fuck Bella. I'm sorry. I was a complete and total arsehole and the next time I kiss you, I promise I won't run away." Hermione paused in her apology. "That is only if you want to kiss me of course."

"The next time the phrase 'fuck Bella' comes out of your mouth it better be with a different intonation and not part of an apology." Bella said in a low drawn out tone.

Hermione swore she could hear the smirk through the phone. She was thankful it was a phone call and not FaceTime as she was blushing profusely at Bella's words.

"And I bet right now you are covered in that adorable little full body blushing innocent girl act you pull off so well."

If Hermione had reached into her panties, she was sure she'd be completely soaked just from the absolute filthy tone of Bella's voice.

"You've gone awfully quiet, Hermione. Are you thinking about how wet you've gotten just from thinking about fucking me or are you touching yourself?"

"Bella..." Hermione managed to breathe out.

"Sorry pet. That was uncalled for. The first time I want to hear you scream my name won't be over the phone. I want to be there when my name falls from your lips."

"Then I suggest you change the subject because I'm soaked and throbbing and if you don't stop with your sinful voice then you'll get to hear what it sounds like when I finish myself off."

It was Bella's turn to clear her throat. "Fuck pet..." Bella let out a strangled breath obviously thinking of Hermione's last words. "Okay as much as I'd like to hear that... a change of subject is in order. Umm"

"Cat got your tongue, Bella?" It was Hermione's turn to smirk knowing she got Bella on the edge herself.

"Any plans this weekend?"

"Well I was hoping to work but it seems that's off the table now so no. Maybe go to the library or just study."

"Sounds exhilarating."

"Oh and what exciting weekend plans do you have?"

"Hmm well I was hoping to take you out on a date tomorrow night."

"A date?"

"Yes. A proper date. We can still snog in the toilet if you want but a proper date without my niece. What do you say? Would you like to go on a date with me, Hermione?"

"I'd love to go on a date with you." Hermione was smiling so big her cheeks were hurting.

"It's sorted then. I'll come round to yours and pick you up at 6. All right?"

"All right. But I'm sure you'll have to get a mini interrogation from my roommates if they are here."

"That's fine. I've been dying to meet your redheaded spokesperson."

Both of the women broke into laughter.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well Hermione."

"Goodnight, Bella."

Hermione hung up the phone, placed it on silent and set it down on her nightstand. She was thrilled that she didn't ruin things with her dark haired beauty. She was more than excited to go out with Bella on a proper date but all she could currently think of was the throbbing sensation between her thighs.

Hermione slid her hand down her front stopping to lightly pinch her erect nipples before sliding past her abdomen and into the front of her knickers. She moved two fingers down through her soaked folds slowly gathering up her wetness and bringing it up to make small tight circles around her swollen clit.

She was thinking of the older woman and her long talented fingers. Wondering if she would be as skilled of a lover as she seemed to be in all other areas. From what she experienced in the bathroom she knew Bella could please a woman. Hermione imagined the woman to be both a gentle and rough lover. Hermione started panting thinking of Bella between her thighs as she picked up the pace of her fingers circling her bundle of nerves.

Hermione thought of Bella biting her neck when she plunged two fingers into her wanting center. Slowly pumping her fingers in and out, rolling her hips to match each thrust, she closed her eyes and pictured it was Bella's fingers inside of her bringing her closer and closer to the edge. Working her fingers in and out, she brought her other hand down to pinch her nipples for only a moment before she brought it down to circle her needy bud. It had only taken a moment or two before Hermione felt herself fall over the edge with Bella's name on her lips. Hermione's breath was ragged as she pulled her fingers out and wiped them on her stomach.

"Fuck me... I haven't been that worked up in ages."

After her breathing calmed down, she decided to send one last text to the dark haired lady of her dreams.

Hermione: I'm looking forward to our date. I am also very much looking forward to the day when it's your fingers pleasuring me and not my own. Goodnight Bella. xx

—-

Bella turned over and reached for her phone. She had been texting Tonks to let her know that everything had been sorted with Hermione. When she heard her phone alert, she had assumed it had been her niece.

Bella went wide eyed then chuckled as she read the text from the brunette. "I knew that innocent schoolgirl thing was just an act."