A/N; I love Ginny and Storm's friendship. Ginny's such a badass and Storm's much the same. It makes sense that they're soft together.

P.S This chapter was so hard to write.

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Hermione stood there for a moment, as if frozen entirely by the events that had just taken place. The redhead's fiery stare doing nothing but chilling her right to the bone. Storm had taken a good minute to register what had just happened, what she'd unknowingly given away. As soon as the penny dropped, she watched as the Shifter's face changed and she moved to cover herself up with her forearm.

"Ginny? What are you doing here?" She questioned then, pulling the redheads attention back towards herself. She looked as if she was still half asleep, her hair sticking up in a cacophony of different directions.

"I could really ask you the same question?" Ginny spoke, her voice calmer now that it was trained on her still very visibly bruised best friend. Moving towards the slightly taller girl who had flicked her eyes up to Hermione for help in answering appropriately. Long, Quidditch calloused fingers had reached out as hazel eyes zoned in on her still damaged ear, and now black eyes. Fingertips ghosting torn skin so gently, Storm was surprised by the touch.

"I'm okay, really" Storm spoke quietly, not bothering to flinch away from such a welcome touch. She would never push Ginny away, not when she was sure she was the one who cared most about her in the world.

"You look like hell" Ginny spoke, an eyebrow raised as a teasing smile tugged her lips up ever so slightly. Hermione forgotten, watching the exchange with a curious stare. She hadn't quite seen these two interact like this. Their meetings always in public or with Harry, and she wondered then just how close they actually were.

"I feel like hell. But come on Red I saved your ass!" Storm laughed then, shaking her head slightly. Moving to run the hand not shielding her modesty through her messy hair. "As always." She spoke, her tone teasing as she rolled her dark eyes playfully.

"Why don't you go an put some clothes on, we can talk about exactly what I've just walked in on then" Ginny spoke, her smile kind as she finally pulled her hand away. Her hazel eyes still lingering on the taller woman as her own smile changed, a sheepish grin tugging at her lips now. Storm nodded as she flicked her dark eyes up towards Hermione once again, nodding to them both as she retreated once again.

As soon as Storm had gone, Ginny had whipped around once again. Hazel eyes boring deeply into the brunette who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. Something about how secretive this thing she'd interrupted was didn't quite sit right with the redhead. Her protective nature raising as her hackles had been set on edge.

"What is this Hermione?" She questioned then, moving to sit herself down at the brunette's small kitchen table. Watching as the older woman finished off their hot drinks and brought them over to sit with her. She looked deep in thought, and that only increased the unease settling deep within Ginny's gut.

"I don't know" Was the answer she was finally given, watching as Hermione had begun to worry her bottom lip between her teeth. Watching as her tea swirled around the teaspoon in her mug as the metal clanked quietly against the ceramic. The noise the only sound that could be heard in that moment.

"Well, are you two in a relationship? Or is that not what this is?" Ginny pressed, a little bit more delicately then. The torn look that had stretched across the older woman's features told her all she really needed to know about her frame of mind.

"Storm isn't really the relationship type, is she?" Hermione quipped a little bit absently then, shaking her head gently before she looked up then. Her gaze solid and set as she met Ginny's eyes, her eyebrow quirking slightly in question.

"Does that mean you don't think she is, or she doesn't want to be?" The redhead shot back, watching as the brunette she had known for such a long time sighed heavily. The sigh itself answered her question, she knew exactly then how this was going to play out at least for the brunette before her.

"It means I don't think she is" Hermione clarified a little sharply, her dark eyes falling back to her mug sat still full on the table in front of her. "She's really…" She started then, but seemed to be at a loss for exactly what to say. She felt callous for finally admitting that her feelings for the shifter had resided purely in the domain of physical attraction. Though there wasn't a lack of affection there, she enjoyed the younger woman's company so whole heartedly, it just wasn't in that… way.

"Does Storm know that's how you feel?" Ginny questioned then as she leaned back in her chair, arms folded defensively across her chest as she waited for the response she knew she was going to get. The fire bubbled deep within her stomach as she thought about just how much Storm had changed since meeting Hermione again. It hadn't made much sense until this point, but she had a feeling the thought's Hermione had were not mutual.

"Storm knows now" Came the Shifter's voice, quiet and calm as she emerged from the doorway. The tired look she had worn earlier completely given way to a dull defeated stare as she avoided eye contact with both the women who were now watching her every move. Her shoulders seemed to slouch and her cheeks had gone a shade of red Ginny had never seen before.

Hermione had frozen; her jaw locked impossibly tight as she watched the shifter stand there for a moment as if debating what to really say next. Her fingers playing nervously with the hem of the same t-shirt that was still destroyed from the night before. She had never seen the younger woman look so withdrawn, the intensity that she had normally found in deep dark eyes was gone. Instead, a dead stare had taken its place and it was much more chilling than she'd ever be able to imagine.

"I'm going to just get out of here" She spoke then, just as quietly as she had done before. Reaching out to grab a hoody that was hung over the back of one of the chairs. She had left it there a few weeks ago, and had worn it every Sunday morning she'd spent with the older witch since. Her fingers wrapped into the material as she turned and disappeared once again.

She made her way quickly to the front door, wrenching it open before making her way out and away from the flat. Apparating as soon as she absolutely could in an attempt to get away from the suffocating feeling that had settled over her as soon as she had heart Hermione speak the words that would absolutely stay with her for a long time. Needing to put as much physical space between herself and the older woman as possible.

She scoffed in anger as she landed on the decking outside of her own house, her dark eyes settling on the building that remained as empty as ever. The loneliness that she'd felt every time she was here almost causing her to turn and run. She hated it, hated how empty it always was. She hated how quiet it would always be. Joseph and his visits, when he was with her made this a home. Any other time, it was just a desperate reminder of how terribly alone she was.

Joseph had been the only one, up until Hermione anyway. The brunette had shown her that maybe this could be a home, all the time. That maybe her loneliness wouldn't last for much longer, and maybe there was an end to it coming. She had enjoyed the noise that came from having someone else in the house so much. It had almost felt like a completely different place all together.

Her thoughts quickly drifting back to what had just been so unceremoniously ripped from her grasp before she even really had it. She sighed deeply as her deft fingers reached out to slide open the back door, leaving it open behind her as she did normally. The sound of the ocean drowning out the silence that always settled within the four walls.

Obviously, she wasn't the relationship type. She never had been. But she had tried, tried so desperately to make sure she had been this time. She had done everything in her power to make sure the brunette had what she needed, to make sure she was happy.

The thought of just not being good enough pulled her heart to the pit of her belly as if it was an anchor for her sadness to hold onto. The feeling was almost physically too much for her to take, it was borderline painful. She berated herself for ever really thinking it could have gone any other way. Hermione was a fully functioning member of society; she had been a wife she had known what it was like to be in a successful relationship for at least a while. Hermione was an independent woman, just enjoying herself with her newly found freedom.

Storm was silly to think someone like that would want someone like her. Daft really if she actually thought about it. Not even human, never having been in any sort of relationship at all, brash, violent, vulgar and just so out of the loop with anything that just wasn't Quidditch.

She wondered then if Hermione had always felt that way, if she had deemed their thing purely sexual from the beginning. Embarrassment welled in the pit of her stomach as she made her way through the house. The need to get into a scalding hot shower and wash away the shame and foolishness choking her as if it was a physical entity.

She wanted to be angry, she wanted to ignite the fury and regrow the backbone that had made her hard to these sorts of things. But she just, couldn't. There was nothing left in the hollowness that had taken her body. There was a numbness, save for the erupting pain of her heart still throbbing somewhere deep in her belly where it had settled so comfortably. Hiding itself away from any more possible damage.

Storm's palm slammed into the tap on the wall and started the water. Twisting the tap until it was at its hottest setting. Watching as steam began plumbing out in hot waves, fogging up the small area that was her bathroom. Seeping out into her bedroom through the door she hadn't shut.

Pulling her clothes off quickly she stepped under the spray, sighing deeply as the heat of the water burned her skin. The feeling of blood rushing to the surface overtook the sinking feeling that had overwhelmed her since she had heard the words. The notion of being used by someone she'd actually come to care a whole lot about made her almost want to gag, and hot tears that leaked from tightly shut eyes were lost to the spray of water.

She didn't know how long exactly she had stood under the heat of the water. But she figured once she started sweating it was probably time to get out and resume life as it was Pre-Granger. Though how exactly that was going to happen she didn't know. There was still a distinctly Hermione shaped hole ploughed straight through her life, and now she was left to tidy up the aftermath.

She sighed heavily as she dressed, barely bothering to dry herself before pulling on a pair of sweatpants and an old Gryffindor Jersey. She wondered if Ginny was still with the brunette, or if she was angry with her for not telling her what was happening. She hoped not. She had wanted to tell no one other than Ginny as soon as it had happened, but had stuck to her word and begrudgingly kept it from her best friend.

Slowly she made her way downstairs once again, her plans for the day consisting now of not a lot of anything at all. She figured she should probably write to Cho, and ask her to come over. Her ear had still been a mess and she realised quickly the wounds hadn't closed as much as she'd like. She was sure that would come with some kind of backlash, but it was really the only option she still had.

She was surprised then as the living room came into view, and the television was already on. A familiar figure sat on the sofa with her back to her, a familiar mane of red hair cascading down over tense shoulders. That answered the Ginny question she thought wryly, moving to push her wet hair out of her eyes.

"So, do I look any better yet?" Storm quizzed, announcing her presence to the woman sat watching cartoons. Ginny had been so delighted when she had been shown the 'muggle contraption' as she had called it.

"Absolutely ravishing" The redhead quipped sarcastically as she turned to take in her best friend. "Irresistible even" Ginny laughed then; her lips tugged up into a wide grin as she opened her arms to allow Storm to collapse onto the sofa with her. Pulling the shifter by the shoulders until her head was rested in her lap quite comfortably.

"Honestly, I thought so. Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page" Storm stated, though her voice lacked its usual arrogant tone. She sounded tired, almost like she had just finally given up.

"Are you alright?" Ginny questioned then, moving to run her fingers through the Shifter's hair. She wasn't really sure how to broach the topic, having never experienced such with Storm. She was normally so unapologetic, brash and sure of herself. Once she had found out about Joe, she'd sworn off relationships and only really ever did enough to scratch an itch. She had stated she wouldn't be able to justify bringing someone into his life, only to have them leave again.

Ginny had never known her to stray from that, Storm having said any time it was brought up that nobody had seemed right enough to risk it. The redhead knew this was different, there had been something there for Storm to put herself out there. She had stuck with Hermione and interrogated her until she knew exactly what had happened.

She didn't even feel bad for leaving the brunette with streaks of tears running down her face. Having pointed out that her view point on Storm not being the relationship type was utter bullshit. The fact she was hiding behind that as an excuse for not being able to admit she just wasn't ready for another serious relationship was cowardly.

She had pointed out that it was absolutely fine to be afraid, to want to wait a little longer or hold off on anything more significant for a while. But to put the blame onto Storm, to insinuate she wasn't good enough for a serious relationship wasn't fair. Hermione had tried to argue her point, but Ginny simply hadn't let her. She was stubborn, and always had been. Admitting she was wrong had always been a struggle for her, and Ginny knew that.

But absolutely stomping all over Storm's feelings, and using her wasn't who the brunette was. It never had been. She was doing herself a disservice, as well as Storm with what she had said. Ginny had known her far too long, and was not afraid to tell her such.

"It feels like someone's kicked me in the stomach, and I can't figure out if I've swallowed my heart of if it's just decided to bugger off and stay at the bottom of my chest." Storm sighed heavily, shutting her dark eyes to avoid the soft hazel ones looking down at her with nothing short of a sorrowful gaze. There was no point in hiding her feelings from the redhead she was still resting so comfortably against. Ginny could see straight through her as if she was entirely transparent.

"You were really in it weren't you?" Ginny spoke after a moment, though it was more of a statement than a question. She had noticed little things over the last few months. Noticed how Storm had started to receive the Daily Prophet, even though she didn't even read it. Noticed how she hadn't gone looking for a one nighter during their visits to the Cauldron. She had barely even looked at another woman.

She noticed how despite never making Hermione a cup of tea in Ginny's presence, she had known exactly how she liked it their second breakfast together. She had picked up on the way she had seemed generally calmer, and much more at ease with things. There had been more than a cereal bowl in her sink, and sometimes even an actual dinner cooking on the odd occasion Ginny had popped over briefly for one reason or another.

She had expected someone, but had never expected who. Really, she couldn't believe she had missed the signs. Even Hermione was different. She had stopped shutting herself away and burying herself in mountains of work. The older woman had seemed to relax, and actually seemed like she had fun. She came religiously to the Cauldron, their Wednesday night dinners and their Sunday morning breakfasts, and barely brought work up at all. She had noticed the way Hermione had seemed so at ease immediately around Storm, how the shifter had received little touches and looks as if they were sharing an inside joke.

"I think I'm in love with her" Storm admitted quietly then, as if saying the words out loud would make them even more real. She had been thinking about it for a while. Before this morning she'd absolutely thrived with the older woman, and had been entirely consumed by her. She thought that maybe they actually had something worthwhile. "How stupid am I" She laughed, though there was no amusement in her tone.

"You're not stupid Storm, you just have feelings like everyone else. It's not on you that it's not reciprocated, and you've done absolutely nothing wrong here" Ginny spoke firmly, ducking slightly to capture dark, dim eyes with her own. The need to get her point across burning hot in her chest as she watched Storm pull in a deep breath.

"I feel stupid. I really should have seen it for what it was." The younger woman grumbled, moving to bury her nose in Ginny's stomach. The embrace comforting and Storm was grateful for it. She would never be able to describe her gratitude for the woman she got to call her best friend. Their bond was forged in hellfire and was absolutely bulletproof. Ginny had very much stepped up once the news of her parents had gotten out. She had stepped up again when Storm found out about Joe, and had been there every step of the way.

"I don't see why you would have. From what I know it's not the usual just sex situation, is it?" Ginny quipped as a matter of factly. "I mean, you don't have breakfast with someone you're 'just sleeping with' every Sunday. You don't engage with their friends, and go out of your way to see them multiple times a week as part of a routine" Ginny spoke, her voice still so sure. "I mean, anyone except Hermione would have seen that the same as you did" She sighed then, collapsing back into the sofa behind her once again.

They stayed like that for a while, Storm forging her own resilience through the fire that was simply Ginny. She knew she'd be okay, if not a little bit bruised for a while. She figured hurting was better than never knowing at all. At least, at the very least, she could say she tried.

Though when Ginny had left late that evening, Storm had perched herself at the kitchen table and had been entirely overwhelmed by the feeling of being alone once again. She had tried to steel her resolve and not allow the emptiness to consume her from the pit of her belly where her heart was still slowly beating away. She had managed to pour herself a measly bowl of cereal, had managed to get herself to the table and sit down with it like a person with their life together.

Though she hadn't quite managed the lights, she figured this was definitely a start. There was nobody else but her to please then, and she really didn't fancy eating in the light anyway. The newest issue of Quidditch weekly she hadn't quite had time to read was open in front of her on the table and she was trying desperately to concentrate on the words that littered the page.

A small pop caught her attention, and she figured maybe Cho had come like she'd asked. She could never really be sure what time she actually finished work. Knowing she finished really late sometimes. She supposed that was normal for a Medi Witch.

Though the person who stepped in from the dark night was not who she had been expecting at all. Hermione stood awkwardly; arms crossed over her chest as if she was entirely unsure of herself. Her dark eyes fixing Storm with a gaze the shifter couldn't quite place.

"Hermione?" The shifter spoke, her voice laced with disbelief. She moved to stand from her seat then, reaching out to flick a switch to turn the lights on. Illuminating the room, making it seem like she hadn't just been sat there in the dark alone. Though the horse had definitely bolted on that illusion.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know if I should come or not" The brunette spoke quietly, dark eyes never leaving the shifter at all. She was surprised by how dark the house had been when she arrived, and almost left again until she noticed the shifter sitting just inside the kitchen in the dark. Her heart clenched painfully at the sight, so entirely different to the Storm she had come to know so well.

"What's wrong? Are you alright?" Storm questioned, moving to pull a glass out of the cupboard in order to fill it full of water. Watching as Hermione finally moved further into the room, settling herself on the edge of one of the chairs at her table.

"I just, I don't know" Hermione started, her dark eyes welling up then. Threatening to spill unshed tears down her cheeks as she averted her gaze for a moment. Taking in a deep breath, avoiding the searching stare she was receiving from the younger woman. She realised then all she wanted to do was go to her, allow herself to be wrapped up in the protective embrace she had come to enjoy so much.

Storm seemed to understand what was happening and reached down to pull the shorter woman out of the chair she had settled so uncomfortably in. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders to pull her into her chest. Sighing heavily as wracking sobs soon took hold of the older woman. The sound pulling so awfully at her resolve, only reminding her that there could be no more interaction than this. Her heart sunk further then, aching so incredibly. They were friend's and regardless of what had transpired she would continue that.

"It's alright Hermione" She muttered, truly at a loss for what else would be sufficient. A hand rubbing soothing circles between the shorter woman's shoulder blades.

"I didn't want to hurt you, I just I can't" Hermione whispered and Storm barely heard what she was saying. The sound of her voice muffled almost entirely by her own chest. The feel of her jersey being bunched up in fists at her stomach as the older woman clung to her so desperately.

"I understand Hermione, I just wish you'd have let me know before I got so attached to what was happening. Before I fell in love with you." Storm spoke honestly, her voice steady as she pushed her own emotions down as far as they would go. She would deal with them later when she was alone once again.

"You're far too nice" Hermione stated, pulling back as her brows twisted up in disbelief. She had known for a while Storm would go out of her way to ensure those she held near were happy and safe. Though she had not expected to still be in that category. The feeling of overwhelming gratitude pulled at her emotions, and more tears were spilling over her cheeks.

As if moving on instinct she leant up then in an attempt to kiss the shifter staring down at her. The urge to feel anything other than the guilt that was threatening to eat her alive too great to resist. The contact was brief, so brief she would later question whether or not it had actually happened or if she had imagined it.

Storm turned her head, a deep sigh escaping her lips as she pulled away ever so slightly. Her own resolve solidifying impossibly, dodging the temptation to just let it happen. "I can't do that, I can't be your toy anymore Hermione" She spoke quietly, her voice breaking as she did.

Hermione stared at her, dark eyes still spilling tears so liberally. Though she remained silent as she watched a sad smile tug its way across the younger woman's lips.

"It's not fair on either of us. You don't even like me romantically, I'm just a vice for you. A way to forget about your shit for a little while." She continued after a deep breath, moving to put a little more space in between them. Noting the way Hermione's grip on her jersey got a little bit tighter, reluctant to let her go too far.

"I understand why. I really do, I get it. It's okay that you don't see us in a real relationship, it's okay that you don't want me like that" She spoke, and her voice broke again. The crack sending jolts of guilt through the older woman's chest.

"You make me feel more than I've felt in years Storm" Hermione spoke then almost pleading, the brutal honesty in her tone taking the shifter by surprise. But Storm just shook her head, taking shaky hands in her own as she searched out watery dark eyes.

"That's okay too, that's fine. But I can't be a vice. That's not what I want from you at all Hermione, and it's unfair for me to allow it to happen. All it'll do is hurt me even more when you find someone else that you actually do want something more out of. It'll make you feel like a horrible person for using me knowing how I feel." Storm sighed, moving back then to run a hand through her shaggy hair. Pushing it back out of her eyes as she folded her arms across her chest.

"When did you become so clever?" Hermione spoke wryly through a forced smile, shaking her head as she pulled herself together. Storm had barred all, and yet she'd so entirely put herself and her feelings to one side in order to make Hermione feel better. She hadn't seen this side, this emotional and open side to the younger woman. The idea of her not being the relationship type had been blown out the window as soon as she'd said it aloud, but the damage had already been done.

Storm had firmly put her foot down, and pulled back. Hermione didn't blame her at all, and couldn't really imagine just how much hurt those words had inflicted on this woman. She didn't realise how stupid she had been, how selfish and how closed off. Storm had allowed her time, allowed her space and had given her control.

All she had done was throw it so entirely back in her face that it was hard to believe she had been the one to do it. She had never done something so callous before in her life. Yet here she was, stood being comforted by the woman she'd torn to shreds.

"Hermione, I'm offended! Clearly, I'm the smart one in this friendship" Storm laughed then, but the delight didn't really meet her eyes. There was still a dullness there as if something had been lost entirely. Hermione couldn't help but berate herself when she realised she was the one that had caused that. She had been the one to take that away, and wouldn't be the one to put it back anytime soon.

She knew she was still not ready for anything serious; she knew she couldn't give Storm what she wanted. The least selfish option was to just pull back, to engage in their friendship but nothing else. No matter how much she wanted to carry on like their morning had never happened, it had.

"Clearly" She spoke, rolling her eyes playfully as she watched Storm smile a little sheepishly then. Her heart fluttered, and she had to actively stop herself from moving to try and kiss her again. The overwhelming urge catching her off guard entirely.

"Do you want to stick around a bit? We can put something on the television. I'm sure we could both use some mind numbing" Storm stated simply, nodding towards the door to the living room. Her hands stuffed deep into her pockets as she rocked from heel to toe a little nervously. It seemed that she too was struggling for what to do with herself.

"I think I'd like that" Hermione admitted, though it's not exactly how she expected to end the evening it was better than nothing. She was grateful for the shifter, and just how kind she actually truly was.