Chapter 6

Storm was surprised by how easily they settled into the routine that had quickly been developed. Friday nights Hermione would stay with her, Saturday nights they would go back to Hermione's apartment. Sundays were for breakfast whether or not that had been with Ginny and Harry, or just the two of them. Hermione had also been included in their Wednesday evening dinners at Harry and Ginny's.

A few months had flown by that way and before Storm even realised it November had come around. She had been thinking hard on what had developed between herself and the brunette that never strayed too far away from her mind. She figured it was probably about time to broach the subject of what it is they were actually doing, neither of them having brought it up in conversation. She had been set on not rushing the older woman, but she figured as they embarked on their third month in this little thing, that now was as good a time as any.

Though that particular conversation would have to wait until after their weekly visit to the Leaky Cauldron. It was a Friday night and Storm had promised Ginny they'd go out to a few muggle bars, and take Ron with them. Harry was away for the weekend and the redhead she had grown so fond of needed some company. However, she was a little dubious about going out with the man she'd heard so much about. But she was never one to judge a book by its cover; or so to speak.

Hermione had looked at her as if she had two heads when she told her she would have to skip their routine Friday night dinner and had explained the reason why. Though she didn't really comment a whole lot, she'd given the shifter a wry grin and told her she'd be expecting her when their fun had ended. Storm was more than happy with the plan, having secretly hated the idea of missing some of their precious time together.

She'd been incredibly surprised when the redhead she knew so well had suggested muggle bars instead of their usual. Once she had explained the want to stay under the radar, it had made all the sense in the world. Storm hated being in the limelight, and did everything she could to stay out of the Prophet.

She wasn't too big of a target for the newspaper, but there had been more than a few stories splashed across the pages. Each of which had ended in the most uncomfortable conversations with Cho about what would happen if their son had seen. Now that he was at Hogwarts and his peers had the Prophet regularly, she did everything in her power to dodge the reporters.

She knew Ron as well as Hermione and Harry had been dogged quite a lot, they had always been the hot topic or so it seemed. So, in hindsight the prospect of a free night was more than needed. She couldn't really remember the last time she had been to one of these muggle places, but she had always gone with Ginny herself. The redhead had loved the anonymity of not being known, of the pumping music and just being able to quite literally let her hair down.

It wasn't long before Storm found herself stood in Ginny's living room face to face with the Ron. His cheeks had been tinged pink by whatever it was he was drinking already and as soon as he saw her his lips spread out into the goofiest grin. Standing up to greet her with a hearty handshake and a crushing hug like he was the one who was her best friend.

She couldn't find it in herself to fight the grin that pulled her own lips then, wrapping an arm around his broad shoulders to return the hug happily. "How are you mate? It's been a while!" She greeted him, her voice raising slightly in order to be heard over the music that was already playing from somewhere.

"Awesome" Ron stated with a laugh as he pulled back to retake his seat, pulling the glass in his hand back up to his lips to drain it of its contents. "I've never been to one of these muggle places before. Ginny says they're quite fun" He adds, his smile never fading from his face.

"They're definitely interesting, I'm not sure if we're going to a bar or a club." Storm started then as she too took a seat, dark eyes flicking up to the youngest redhead who had just entered the room. She was dressed up nicely in dark blue jeans paired with heels Storm had never seen before. A tank top and a flowy dark blouse over the top. Finally, her hair was straightened impeccably and Storm found herself a little taken back.

"Club, obviously" Ginny quipped as she reached out to hand Storm a glass full of something. "I want to dance, and we want to find Ron a girl!" She stated simply, her hazel eyes crinkled up a little at the sides as she grinned a wide grin.

"So, we're being wing men then?" Storm laughed, an eyebrow raising to take in the man beside her. He was nodding happily, his cheeks still bright pink. Though Storm wasn't sure if that was from the alcohol, or from the statement his little sister had just made. If she had really had to guess, it would probably be fair to assume a bit of both.

Not long later, Storm found herself stood at an incredibly crowded bar. Ginny was somewhere on the dancefloor and she had been left to look after Ron. The man seemed a little bit nervous at first, but that had soon eased off the moment he'd had his first proper drink down. It had turned out that she actually didn't mind him at all. If she were to be really pushed, she'd say she probably liked him.

They chatted about quidditch idly as they waited for their round to be brought over to them. Laughing about their mutual hatred for Krum. Though Storm had kept her story strictly professional, she figured she hated him just that little bit more when she found Hermione had dated him. The thought sending a chill of nothing more than jealousy down her spine.

It wasn't long before a leggy brunette had quite obviously caught the redhead's eye, and the shifter couldn't quite help but smirk at the clear type he had. Creatures of habit humans, she thought wryly as she dragged the man behind her through the crowds and towards the bar the woman had leant herself up against. She seemed to be alone, and Storm couldn't help but scoff at how easy this was.

Seconds later she was approaching, leaning into the bar next to the woman. Nodding with a wide smile as she caught her eye, the older man behind her looking a little lost for what to do. He was standing with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, almost rocking back onto his heels as he waited like Storm had instructed him to do.

"Hi there, have you met my friend Ron?" Storm yelled over the music, motioning towards the redhead who had stepped forward then. His smile still goofy, but he nodded towards the woman smoothly and held his hand out for her to take. She figured this might actually go well for them, and he might get at least a number out of it. Though she wasn't really sure if he had a phone like the muggles used, it would at least boost his confidence.

She almost punched the air in delight as they quickly broke into conversation, surprised at how easy the redhead had taken over. She thought she'd have much more work to do before she'd be able to leave them alone to seek out her best friend. Though she waited a few more minutes before leaning in to let Ron know where they would be if he needed anything.

He just grinned at her and nodded as she waved behind her nonchalantly, wandering off in search for Ginny. Finding her easily under the hot lights of the dancefloor, her fiery mane setting her apart from all the rest of the bodies moving to the music that was blaring from speakers all around them.

"Hey!" She yelled over the music as she sidled up easily behind the woman she called her best friend, her free hand reaching out easily to find a slim hip gyrating to whatever beat was blasting. Ginny seemed to know exactly who it was, barely flinching at the close proximity of the new body pressed up against her. Nothing sexual in the touch as the redhead turned around and looped her arms around her neck.

"How did it go?" She spoke loudly, leaning in to talk directly into Storm's ear as the shifter picked up on her movements and began moving easily with her. She'd been dragged onto the dance floor by Ginny so many times in the past, she had been forced to learn how not to look like an idiot.

"Well! Though he really has a thing for brunettes!" Storm laughed then, pulling her companion out of the way of a mammoth man stumbling through the crowd just in time to avoid being crashed into. The bloke in question careening past them and off of the dance floor quite sloppily.

"Gross!" Ginny wrinkled her nose then, shaking her head for a moment before her own features twisted up into a grin. "I'm glad he's at least talking to someone! It's been ages and honestly I'm fed up of his moping around!" She laughed then, moving away just enough to let Storm pull her glass to her lips. Their hips swaying in practised tandem to the beat of an unknown song.

They stayed like that for quite a while, the redhead steering their movements as Storm swayed almost lazily with her. The alcohol had started to blur her vision and ease the tension that had settled across her shoulders, though the heat of the crowd had started to really get to her. She could feel her cheeks burning, and her clothes getting stickier by the second.

She found she was more than grateful when Ginny finally grabbed her by the hand to drag her out of the club and into the small smoking area to get some fresh air. It was very much needed and Storm sucked in a heaving breath of frosty, early morning air into her lungs. The heat lamps above them warming the area just enough to stop the true night air from freezing the skimpily dressed patrons.

To her dismay the mountain of a man that had very nearly taken them out and his friends seemed to be crowding around, taking up majority of the room in the small space. Their voices far too loud as they laughed over something crude someone had said. Storm couldn't help the roll of her eyes as she turned her back towards the group.

Before she could really get anything out in the way of conversation Ginny's eyes were growing comically wide, and Storm was being unceremoniously shoved out of the way. The man from earlier having made his way over to them, his eyes never leaving the redhead now at Storm's side. Slurring something that sounded awfully like wanting to get Ginny a drink. A small smirk tugged at Storm's lips then, she knew this wasn't going to end without a bruised ego.

To Ginny's credit she had remained calm, if not a little stoic. Grabbing Storm by the waist to pull her in and cuddle up to her. They had done this routine many times, Ginny would pretend Storm was her girlfriend and Storm would stare down the offending character until they simply left. Though, from the smug smirk that stretched over the pig like man's face the shifter figured this wasn't going to end so easily.

It seemed to all happen so quickly then, an unwarranted touch of a disgustingly big hand had met Ginny's hip. Followed quickly by the muttered insistence that he'd be able to show her a better time. The ringing sound of a slap echoed through Storm's beer fogged brain almost as soon as the paw like palm had made contact and the words had left his lips.

Without having to really think about what she was doing she was pushing herself into the small space the slap had created between the beast like muggle and the visibly fuming redhead. A snarl pulled across pink lips as Ginny barred her teeth in disgust. She could feel herself starting to tense up again, anger welling already towards the audacity this drunken fool had.

Warm breath bounced off her face as she squared her shoulders, making herself seem as imposing as possible. Teeth barred as she snarled at the man who was still smirking, obviously very pleased with himself. Ginny's hands had found her shirt at the back, and she was sure there would be no stopping the redhead if anything else where to happen. Really, Storm would never actively seek to be on the business end of whatever Ginny had.

"Back off buddy" Storm snarled then, her hands finding the man's gut as she pushed him backwards and out of their personal space. "She said she's not interested, or are you too dense to understand that notion?" She spoke firmly, her voice unwavering as she fixed the man in question with a firey stare.

Though his smile seemed to drop as she pushed him, his shoulders squared and his own teeth had been bared in a sneer. He advanced once again until he was pretty much nose to nose with the shifter. She could smell the alcohol on his person, her nostrils flaring at the violent stench.

"Or what? You'll let her slap me again? Why don't you let red speak for herself" He spoke, his voice low and threatening as he moved to push Storm back and out of the way again. Her feet keeping her planted firmly, unwavering in the face of the oaf.

"Or I'll make sure that pretty face of yours isn't attached to your skull come morning" She spoke with a growl, her own voice low as she shoved him backwards again; harder than the first time. It took everything in her to fight against the sheer instict to shift and take care of this imbecile properly. Her nerves were on fire, itching to move and change to something more substantial than this human body she was trapped in in front of these muggles.

The threat was enough to have him come back at her swinging. Landing a solid fist straight to the stomach, causing her to wince in pain and double over almost instantly. All the air escaping from her lips in one breath as she stared down at the floor for a brief moment. Her ears ringing as all the blood rushed to her brain.

A laugh echoed in her ears and this time the sound of Ginny screaming obscenities at the man and his comrades who had joined into the fray met her ears. She was sure she'd regret her next decision in the morning, but figured needs must. Without more than a second thought she was plunging her shoulder as hard as possible into the man's stomach, sending them both careening into a table full of glasses.

The sharp pain of glass slicing into her skin as they landed with a crash forgotten amongst the red fog that had filled her brain. Another smash and the sound of fists landing solid punches echoed out somewhere behind her. She was briefly aware of her best friend's voice shouting at her, and then shouting at Ron. She figured he had joined in, and briefly noted his timing was impeccable.

Though the thought was fleeting as she was thrown from the man she had landed on, slamming into the glass covered ground with another loud huff. She barely had time to recover enough to put her hands up in an attempt to block a swift punch that landed square against her jaw. The taste of blood filled her mouth as she wrestled with the mountain on top of her. One hand bunched at his shoulder holding him off, and the other balled up in a fist as she managed to land a few heavy blows to the back of his head.

Another strike landed quickly across her face, though this time a glass had been shattered against her ear. She struggled to stay with it, her vision fading out and in again as she wrestled with the beast weighing her down. She managed to squirm free just enough to land a swift knee in his groin as hard as she possibly could. A loud squeal erupted and the weight atop her eased up just a little.

She moved to try and pull herself out from under him, using her elbow to slam into the back of his neck hard as he tried to keep her pinned. She thought about shifting and throwing him off entirely, then making good on her promise but figured she just couldn't risk it. If this place had cameras up like most did, it would hit muggle news before daybreak.

Luckily, a security guard grabbed the brute by the shoulders and dragged him off of her and away from the vicinity. Though she had very little time to even breath before she too was being drug up and off the ground by the collar of her shirt. The fresh air hit her harder than any punch could, and she swayed as she stood, her vision still no more than cloudy at best.

It seemed Ron hadn't fared much better and blood had caked his face from what Storm could make out. He too was swaying heavily on his feet and looked like he was seconds away from passing out. Though he was still doing his best to shrug himself free of the grip the bouncer had on his own shoulders, yelling towards to group of men ahead of them.

Even Ginny was sporting a split lip and already bruising knuckles as they were escorted out, though she didn't seem to be in that much of a bad way. Her eyes were already flicking over the pair of them, weighing up what their options would be once they had been thrown out. Her keen mind reeling with what the best course of action would be.

The street outside the club was littered with patrons, most of which had begun gawking at the group that had been thrown to the curbside carelessly by bouncers. The group of men they'd grappled with already stumbling aimlessly away and down the road. Storm was grateful for that, though figured there were probably no cameras this side. She could easily get away with going to make good on her promise. She wondered if they had fared better, or worse. Not really having caught a glimpse of any of them after the initial fight had broken out.

"Storm, we need to get you both to St Mungos" Ginny's voice came then and Storm noticed she was crouched beside the older redhead sat on the curb, lent back on his forearms. She could see a rather large gash at his temple, and his jaw was most definitely distorted. He definitely looked as if he was struggling to stay with it, and she noticed even from where she was stood how his eyes seemed to be rolling into his head.

"I can't, Cho will see me" Storm spoke then. Sobering her up considerably at the prospect of being reemed by the mother of her son. The pain of various shards of glass still embedded in her skin really coming to light. The blood that she hadn't noticed before was sticky and warm across her face and down her neck. She could feel the gash on the inside of her cheek seeping crimson liquid out and over her teeth that she was grateful were still intact.

She moved then, ignoring the protest from her best friend and lent down to wrap an arm under one of Ron's shoulders. Careful not to grab him too hard. "Let's get him there, and I'll just sort myself out" She spoke quietly, grateful for the large man at her side's help as he pushed himself off the ground.

"Tonight, was definitely not the sort interesting I like." He whined as he moved with Storm's help. Luckily, they weren't far from a dark alley that was perfect for them to apparate from.

"Normally we don't end up getting attacked" Ginny laughed quietly, though the amusement didn't really meet her hazel gaze. She was worrying her bottom lip as she watched the two stumble together. "If only magic was at our disposal, or one of us was a shifter that could change at will" She rolled her eyes as she too wrapped an arm under Ron's shoulder in order to help him.

"I could shift now and go and eat them. But I'm sure muggles would notice a dragon" She stated with a grumble, shifting her tongue until it resembled a long snake like tongue; forked at the tip. Flicking it out briefly to make her point.

"I wish" Ron stated then "That would be cool" He laughed a little weakly then and Storm actually felt guilt bubble up in the pit of her stomach. Tonight was supposed to be for him, to get him out and it had really turned out for the worst. She couldn't actually remember a night where they had fared worse.

With a crack they were gone, and as soon as she had gotten the two redheads to St Mungo's she had apparated again before she could be seen. The last thing she needed was for Cho to see her, or for someone from the prophet to clock them. Joey would worry himself silly if he caught wind of what had happened.

Her knee's gave out as soon as she landed in Hermione's dimly lit living room. The darkness was slowly creeping into her vision again, and she braced herself on her forearms against soft carpet.

"Storm?!" Came her name, shrieked from somewhere behind her. Her fingers had met her ear searching out the gash that was there in quiet assessment. It felt deep, but nothing a little dittany couldn't close up within a few hours. "What happened?!" Came the older woman's voice again, panic so evident in the tone.

"Sorry Hermione" She muttered as she noted then the blood dripping off her chin and onto the older woman's carpet. Watching as the crimson splashed mixed with beige.

Soft fingers found her cheeks then, and she noted Hermione was already on her knees in front of her. Her flannel pyjamas rolled to the elbow as she moved to brush scruffy hair back away from Storm's unfocused eyes. The younger woman unable to fix her gaze any longer as she looked up.

Hermione was shocked to say the least, she hadn't expected Storm to return in such a state. "What happened?" She questioned again, her voice tense as she pushed herself off the floor. Fingers wrapping around Storm's bicep in order to help her up. Noting for the first time then the state of the younger woman's t-shirt. The back had been torn to shreds and it seemed there was even more blood dripping from open wounds carved into exposed flesh.

Dark eyes widened then, a mane of curls whipping side to side as Hermione shook her head. Using her own body to prop Storm up as she stumbled a little in an attempt to walk. The adrenaline that had kept her going enough to get her companions to where they needed to be drained, leaving her borderline useless.

"Some guy tried to hit on Ginny, and wouldn't take no for an answer. Ginny and Ron are at St Mungos, but I couldn't stay" Storm grumbled, shaking her head a little bit in an attempt to get rid of the daze that had settled so heavily over her.

"Are they okay?" Hermione questioned as she guided the younger woman to sit on a chair at the small table in her kitchen. Making sure she wasn't going to fall out of it before moving to turn all the lights on. Making her way quickly to a cupboard with limited first aid supplies, both magical and muggle alike.

"Ginny's fine, split lip and some busted knuckles. I don't doubt whoever was worse off than she was by far" Storm started then, slouching back into the wooden frame of the chair briefly before quickly deciding that was definitely not a good idea. Springing forward rather abruptly as the stinging in her back doubled.

Hermione nodded then; an eyebrow raised in question as she moved to kneel in front of the younger woman she'd gotten to know quite well. "And Ron?" She asked, her voice a little unsure.

"I think he's okay, he's about the same as I am" Storm replied quietly, moving to allow Hermione access to her face. "I couldn't let Cho see, she'd get so angry" She clarified, "I didn't want to just not come in case you thought I wasn't bothered about coming to see you" She spoke again, though her voice was a little quieter.

"I'm glad you came, even if you look like you've been in a fight with a cheese grater" Hermione quipped as she tugged at the hem of the shifter's t-shirt to pull it up and over her head. Careful not to drag it across the open wounds still bleeding quite liberally, littered across her back.

"I hate cheese graters, they're such a violent utensil" Storm muttered, rolling her eyes playfully. Fighting off the grimace that threatened to take her lips as Hermione began pulling out small shards of glass that were still buried in her flesh at her cheek.

It wasn't really a huge cleanup job, well she felt like it wasn't anyway. Though she had zoned out pretty quickly once gentle hands had met her skin. The touch was comforting and she really didn't have it in her to fight the exhaustion now that she was in such close proximity to the woman who eased all her worries.

She had been led quietly through the small flat once Hermione had been satisfied with her work. Storm had expected a bollocking and had been surprised when it never came. Though she wasn't sure if it would be the same come morning. Instead, she followed as quickly as she could, unable to think of anything she wanted more in that moment. Curling up with the brunette had swiftly become one of the Shifter's favourite pastimes.

Hermione had gotten the younger woman settled in her bed, pulling her boots and jeans off as Storm all but crashed out as soon as she settled. Trying her best not to jostle her too much as she had climbed into bed, rolling to curl into the Shifter's side carefully. A hand reaching up to trace small patterns at the younger woman's collar bone in an attempt to sooth herself to sleep. Storm was already breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling deeply as she slept.

Hermione had fallen asleep after a little while and had been the first to rise late the next morning. Noting the shifter was still lightly snoring in exactly the same position she had been when she'd actually gotten into bed. Storm hardly moved in her sleep, but this was something else. Hermione was sure she'd be waking with an incredible hangover.

With that thought, Hermione pushed herself from the bed. Begrudgingly moving from the comfort of the embrace she had grown to enjoy so much. Coffee was definitely needed after the evening that had been had. She had waited up for the younger woman, and it had taken a good hour to get her all cleaned up and free of glass. They hadn't actually managed to get to bed until the wee hours that morning.

Something Hermione figured, they were both a little too old for now. The thought made her smirk to herself, her lips tugging up on one side as she wandered into the kitchen to start the kettle boiling. Her attention pulled absently to the morning's Daily Prophet. There hadn't been much in the way of anything interesting in it, just a load of drivel.

A quiet pop echoing over the sound of the boiling kettle pulled her attention back to the now. "Hermione, are you home?" Came Ginny's familiar voice, followed by footsteps towards the kitchen.

"In here!" She called as she reached up to pull another mug from the cupboard to begin fixing it the way Ginny liked.

"Have you seen Storm? We had a problem last night and she was banged up pretty bad. I've just been to see if she's alright and she's not home. It doesn't look as if she's been home all night" Ginny spoke quickly, and Hermione could see the worry evident in the redhead's hazel gaze.

She realised then that of course Ginny wouldn't know Storm was there, their liaisons were still strictly kept between the two of them. The beginnings of panic started to well within her chest as her keen mind flicked through explanations of why Storm might even be there. She figured it would probably be seen as just a friendly thing, Storm having saught her out for help.

"Hermione?" Came her name again, though this time it was quietly spoken. "Why did you get out of bed?" was muttered then just before Storm came into view. Ginny had turned to take in her best friend. Her eyebrows furrowed together as she noted Storm's use of words, and the fact she was more or less naked save for a pair of boxers and socks.

"What?" Ginny asked a little harshly her hazel eyes alight with fire as she put the pieces together, "what's going on?" She quizzed abruptly, turning her attention on the brunette who was now stood at a total loss for words, her jaw hanging open as she took Storm's slowly processing expression. The jig was up, the news was out, they finally found them.