A/N: Hi guys, sorry this has taken a while. I broke my laptop like a dunce and then I've been in hospital. Unfortunately, I have IBD and had a flare up but i'm ok now!

If anyone is interested I have written a blog for an LGBTQ Wellness site, about my relationship with my mental health and fitness over lockdown in the UK.

This is the link. /finding-fitness-and-my-true-worth/

Enjoy this chapter, I'm hoping to cover some main events before having to return to work on the 7th of April! We'll see!

Hope you're well. Kass

Chapter 18

Christmas passed quickly, Boxing Day having proved to be much less eventful than the day itself. Hermione had been unsurprised by the fact Storm had slept for majority of the day. Though, she had been grateful the Shifter had come down to sprawl out across the sofa with her head in her lap to sleep for most of it. Storm had simply grumbled about wanting to be near her, and that she didn't feel comfortable being too far away.

Hermione had realised then, she had quickly become Storm's comfort. She had become the person Storm wanted when she didn't feel well at all. This was something that had set an abundance of butterflies through her own stomach as she sat running her fingers absently through thick dark curls behind the younger woman's ear. Her dark eyes falling from the pages of the book she had settled so contently with to flicker across sharp features to ensure the younger woman was indeed sleeping soundly.

Storm was snoring ever so quietly, her nose pressed tightly to Hermione's stomach. A red tartan blanket expanded to encompass them both entirely. Storm had managed to wrap it up and around her own shoulders and cocooned herself in it's hold. She was out cold, entirely dead to the world and all that was happening within it.

This was something Hermione had been thankful for. Her wounds had healed entirely, but there was still a dark bruise covering the majority of her ribs. The colour hadn't quite faded away yet, and if she was hard pressed she'd say it may have even gotten worse. It seemed to definitely drain the energy from her normally lively shifter.

Part of her worried about what might be causing it. The spell was a curse so there could be any number of ramifications that followed that. She figured she just had to trust Cho and her experience in the field. Hermione was definitely not a healer, and she really wasn't sure when it came to such magics.

It seemed her internal musings had kept her occupied for a while longer than she had expected and she found the sun had set before she really even knew it. The day had flown past, with the Shifter only moving to readjust and get settled once again.

She moved quietly to set her book down on the side table, gently coaxing the shifter off her lap; the younger woman only stirring ever so slightly to adjust to the new position. Rolling into the spot Hermione had just been sat in, burying her face in the plush cushions at the back of the sofa. A low grumble had vibrated from her as she moved and then she had fallen silent once again.

Hermione watched to make sure she hadn't woken her, to ensure she was still sleeping soundly. There was no need to disturb her just yet, she still had time to put something to eat together for the two of them. A disturbing fact about the attack was it had seriously impacted Storm's appetite. Something Hermione didn't really think was possible.

She had known Storm a while now, and had known her to be injured quite badly during some of her quidditch matches. Though, not once was her appetite affected at all. She had always resumed eating her normal obscene amount.

The night before they had ordered pizza, and while Joey had inhaled an entire pie to himself, Storm had turned her nose up after a few slices. The younger woman had struggled to put a brave face on, and at least Hermione and Cho had noticed the change. Cho had ushered the boy home quickly after that. She had sent an owl that morning to see how Storm was, and to reassure Hermione that it was all normal after such an injury.

Quietly Hermione sighed to herself as she turned her back reluctantly to the Shifter still non the wiser. Making her way into the dark kitchen in order to figure out something small for them both. She wasn't too hungry herself, but her stomach had started the familiar rumblings.

A soft pop pulled her attention away from the quiet house, and she was surprised to find Harry and Ginny stepping through the glass doors that led to the decking. Ginny looked exhausted but wore a wide smile none the less. Harry too was smiling, his lips twisted up in the most familiar way.

"We thought we would come see how you both were doing" Harry clarified as if he needed to, and Ginny was already sidling up next to her, peaking over her shoulder to see what she was doing.

"How is grumpuss?" She questioned, the nickname spoken with a small wry smile. Her deep red hair pulled up in a braid that sat just over her shoulder, her light eyes fixing Hermione with a knowing stare as the brunette flicked her own eyes over her shoulder to meet Ginny's own.

"She's been asleep all day. I figure it's probably time to wake her up and feed her" Hermione spoke, her own lips tugged up in a smirk as she slid leftover pizza into the oven.

"What, she's not eaten at all today?" Harry questioned as he went about sorting cups of tea for everyone. So familiar with Storm's home, so comfortable here.

The brunette just shrugged, though his surprise was enough to set her nerves alight once again. Cho had said this was normal, but it didn't quite feel normal. Harry's reaction, and the way Ginny was now watching her with thinly veiled worry told her that she was indeed right to worry.

"Not at all. I don't think I've ever known her to go more than a few hours without a snack" Hermione quipped, shaking her head as she moved to push her hand through her locks. Pushing them back and away from her face. Her mane a little bit more untamed than normal considering they had done nothing but relax all day.

"When we were at Hogwarts, she had the drawer between our beds enchanted and extended to hold any kind of snack she wanted. Her robes too" Ginny quipped with a laugh. Her fare brows knitted together as she reminisced on the past.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Hermione questioned as she suppressed the laugh that was bubbling just beneath the surface at the thought. A memory flitting through her mind as she thought about just hope obsessed the Shifter was with sweets.

"Is she the one who used to slip chocolate frogs into my bag?" Hermione questioned seriously then. There had been a good few months where someone had been leaving her chocolate frogs everywhere. It had been towards the end of the year, during their N.E. . She had no idea how they had been doing it, and had never caught anyone out.

"Obviously." Ginny spoke with a smirk, and even Harry had seemed clued into the topic. He was nodding away quite happily. "Who else would do something like that for someone they barely ever spoke to?" She quizzed like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

If Hermione really thought about it, off course it made sense that it was Storm. But the reason why was still an absolute mystery. She could feel her brows knit together in confusion as she regarded the redhead curiously. Ginny now sipping her tea like it was just another day in the life of.

"Why on earth would she do that?" Hermione quizzed aloud then, unsure if any of the explanations she may come up with would ever be bizarre enough to actually be accurate.

"She thought you looked stressed, and wanted to do something to cheer you up a little bit. She always said she knew you didn't like her, and didn't want you to think she was weird so figured out how to do it without you noticing. She always had a stash in her pockets, so it was whenever she could do it without getting caught" Ginny laughed again, though this time it was more of a chuckle as she regarded the older woman.

Hermione looked as if she might actually cry, her dark eyes had welled with unshed tears and were quite glossy under the bright light of the kitchen. Harry just stayed quiet, moving to pull a chair from the table in the corner to sit in it. His own cup of tea held between his hands as he scanned over an issue of the Prophet that had been left from that morning.

The brunette had been struck dumb by what had just been revealed. She had held this woman in such low regard the entire time. This caring, thoughtful, selfless woman who went out of her way to do things for others without any thought to herself. She had been well aware of Hermione's scathing words behind her back, and had still done something so… sweet.

Her chest tightened as she pulled in a calming breath, trying to push the thoughts of how horrible she had actually been back then away from her mind. The question of what exactly Storm saw in her was playing heavily on her mind, and not for the first time she realised how lucky she was that the younger woman was not judgemental and held no grudges.

"Storm sees people, Hermione. You should know that by now. She doesn't see what they say, she see's what they do. She can read anyone and it's actually quite scary sometimes" Harry had piped up then. His voice sure as he spoke, it seemed almost as if he was amused.

"What Harry said." Ginny added simply. "She figured anything you said about her was because you were afraid of what might happen if you actually gave her five minutes of your time." She clarified and Hermione realised then just how transparent she had been, at least when it came to the Shifter. Even all those years ago.

Though, Storm was always joking when she teased about those few incidents back at Hogwarts where Hermione had caught her in various stages of undress. Hermione knew Storm knew the truth behind the older woman's flustered reaction. It hadn't been shock, though that too had played a small part. She had been overwhelmed by an attraction she had never thought was possible.

She had imagined that body pressed so tightly to her during the war and images of what it might be like to be in that predicament again had flooded her mind. She had entirely blanked out for a good few seconds before collecting herself enough to scold the sheepish looking Shifter. She had sent the younger woman on her way each time, and had been haunted for days after by the images her keen mind had conjured up.

She had been angry at herself for thinking such things, of course that wasn't alright. After all, she had been with Ron and thinking about someone else in such a situation was entirely wrong. She had known there was a reason whenever she dreamt of the war she dreamt of smouldering dark eyes and a strong body hiding her away safely for a moment that would last a lifetime.

Hermione had hoped that once she had left Hogwarts she could carry on with her life as if nothing had happened. Ignore the absurd infatuation she had developed towards the younger girl since the moment her back had met flagstone. But she had been haunted for years, each Prophet article that threw up photos of the Shifter she had once had the opportunity to know in the arms of some undeserving harlot sent pure fury through her very being.

She had always put it down to an unfulfilled fantasy, a question that had been left unanswered rather than anything personal. Though, that theory had soon been crushed once she'd been given the opportunity to reconnect with the younger woman. When Ginny had asked her to the Cauldron with them both she had jumped at the chance.

Nerves welled within the pit of her stomach as they had sat waiting for the Shifter to appear, to arrive. She had fidgeted a little uncomfortably beside the redhead chatting away idly as she had waited for her question to finally be answered. Though, as Storm had wandered through the door wearing that crooked grin she had grown to detest at Hogwarts Hermione had known it had never just been so simple.

She wondered then if Ginny had known the entire time, all those years. She must have. The way she had looked so smug, so knowing as Storm had faltered at their table once she had spotted Hermione herself told a story all in itself. She wondered if Ginny had known back at Hogwarts of the true reason behind Hermione's distaste for the youngest of the three.

"Bloody hell" Hermione whispered then, almost to herself as she thought hard on what had been revealed to her. A bolt of regret had shot through her as she considered the implications. If she had been braver, if she had given her own feelings a thought back then they could be in a much different place now. She had been young, and arrogant herself. Blinded by what people expected of her, trying to be the image of the woman everyone had wanted her to be. She had wasted so much time by being so foolish and so unwilling to accept what could have been.

"I told you you were wrong about her" Ginny spoke, but there was no accusation to her tone. She was simply acknowledging the fact of the matter. "Took you long enough to listen to me" She joked as she elbowed the older witch gently. Nudging her in an attempt to calm the thoughts that were visibly assaulting Hermione.

"So have you picked a date to get married yet?" Harry questioned, attempting to pull the topic back to something much more positive. Something they could quite easily control.

Hermione sighed deeply then, resigning to the fact that once again they couldn't change the past. She figured she was just lucky someone else hadn't snapped Storm up while she was faffing about trying to fit herself into the ideal she just couldn't gel with. Her dark eyes slid up to meet her best friend's, matching his content smile with one of her own.

"I'm thinking potentially the last Saturday in February. We spoke a little on what we want, and we're both happy with a very small ceremony and reception" Hermione started as she made her way to the table to take a seat with the two already there. Ginny having perched herself next to Harry, her own mug of tea sat in front of her.

"We could always set a big tent type situation on the beach, it would be easy to set up heating and the like to keep it warm." Ginny added, her light eyes fixed on the large glass door that remained open. It was dark outside, but the telltale sound of the waves crashing in the distance rang through.

"I think that'll be the best case scenario. It should be easy enough to do. We just need to figure out what we want to eat, and who exactly is getting an invitation. The rest should be easy enough to put together ourselves" Hermione spoke then, a small smile tugging on her lips as she considered exactly what the conversation meant. She couldn't wait to solidify their relationship with the next step.

"We can help with food and all that. Will you be taking a Honeymoon?." Harry questioned then, he figured that was the norm, and guessed that would be nice for them to do. He pulled his own mug to his lips then and drained the rest of the contents from it.

"I don't see why we couldn't, that would definitely be a welcome break." Hermione added, her mind already flicking to potential destinations and how long they would like to maybe go for. She figured two weeks would probably be sufficient, and wondered how Storm would feel about such a thing.

"That would be nice, I'm sure Storm won't argue with that idea either. Any excuse to do absolutely nothing for an extended period of time" Ginny quipped, a wry smirk tugging at her lips as her light eyes flicked to the doorway. "Isn't that right lazy bones?" She teased the Shifter who was standing there rubbing her eyes with a fist.

She looked as if she had just woken up, her dark eyes hazy and unfocused as she squinted against the bright light of the kitchen. A stark contrast to the dark in the living room. There was an imprint of the sofa on her cheek and a small smirk tugging at her lips as she shook her head in response to Ginny's playful taunting.

"I thought I heard your dulcet tones." Storm quipped then, her voice heavy with sleep. She moved to take up the last seat at the table, leaning over to press a kiss to Hermione's cheek.

"At least we know they're not just in your head this time" Ginny teased once again, a smirk playing at her lips.

"I have to occupy my thoughts somehow" Storm smirked, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. The gesture not phasing the redhead in the slightest.

"Would you two like a room?" Harry quizzed, his own eyebrow raised as he watched the exchange. His light eyes flicking across to settle on Hermione for just a moment who seemed to be shaking her head, an amused smirk tugging its way across her features. They were both quite used to the dynamic Storm and Ginny shared. Their relationship built entirely on torment and teasing.

"As much as I'm sure Red would love that, I am a one woman gal" Storm stated, her voice dripping with arrogance, "I know it's disappointing, Harry will console you" She spoke with a laugh, moving to drape an arm across the back of Hermione's chair.

"You are insufferable sometimes. You know, Hermione I really don't know what you see in her" Ginny added, a laugh of her own escaping her lips as she watched the brunette regard Storm incredulously.

"Obviously my dashing good looks and irresistible charm" Storm quipped before Hermione could even answer. A wide smile tugging at her lips as she sat back in her own chair.

"Well, it looks like you hit your head the other day after all" Hermione added, her hand going to Storm's forehead as she feigned worry. "You're delusional and confused!" She teased, her features twisted up with clear amusement.

"You three spend too much time together" Harry added after a moment of watching all three women exchange so casually. The atmosphere so light and airy as they all chatted away.

"What were you talking about?" Storm questioned then, curiosity getting the best of her. She wondered how long the pair had actually been there and what she had missed.

The brunette beside her seemed to sigh gently before answering, her dark eyes fixed to the side of Storm's face. Gaze tracing over sharp features as she remembered the bit of information that had shocked her. "Ginny disclosed the identity of my mystery Chocolate Frog giver" She spoke quietly, almost as if her voice was meant just for Storm.

The bravado fell instantly, and Storm turned to look at her fully. Her lips pulled up in a wide grin that split her features. "You were grumpy as hell, and honestly it seemed your stress relief was giving me as many detentions as possible" Storm stated quietly, as if that explained everything. A sheepish smile had taken the place of the grin. "You also used to sit in that corner for hours, and honestly Hermione I don't think I saw you at many meals and that was quite worrying" She added simply.

"That and you fancied the pants off her and secretly got a kick out of knowing Hermione was mystified by something you were doing" Ginny added, interjecting her words into the conversation that was happening.

"If I wanted to see Hermione mystified I'd have wandered around naked more often. That always did the trick" Storm laughed then, flinching away as Hermione went to bat at her elbow softly as she sucked her teeth in disgust.

"Why does it always come down to being naked with you?" Harry added, though he was unsurprised at the insinuation.

Storm just shrugged as she moved to stand from the chair, making her way to the oven to pull the pizza out that had been warming nicely. "We were also discussing what we might do for a honeymoon" Hermione added then, pulling the topic away from Storm's obsession with being naked.

"Oh really, any ideas on where you might want to go? Where did you two go again?" Storm questioned, intrigued by the topic. She would never argue with the prospect of a few weeks away just herself and Hermione. That was definitely an appealing thought.

"We went to Egypt" Harry added "It was very warm" He spoke again, pulling the collar of his jumper away from his neck as he thought about the time they had spent abroad. Ginny had loved it, she had insisted on spending as much time on the beach and by the pool as possible.

"I was thinking maybe we could go to Spain?" Hermione added, she had been a few times with her parents when she was younger. It had always been something she quite enjoyed.

"I'm happy with wherever, so long as it's warm and I'm with Hermione" Storm spoke honestly, she really wasn't too bothered by where they might go. All she was concerned about was the fact that Hermione had actually agreed to become her wife, and they were getting married in a few months time. It boggled her mind how it had all worked out, and she was truly content with anything that happened in regards to what they may do together.

"Would you like some crackers with that cheese?" Ginny stated then, shooting her best friend a cheeky smirk as she did so. Watching as Storm rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out from where she was stood behind Hermione.

"Well, on that note I suppose we best be going" Harry added, a smirk tugging at his own lips as he regarded the three women again. They had been at the Burrow all day for Boxing Day, and it had been manic as usual, but much more calm than the day before had been. They had all successfully put the home back together, and had been sure to celebrate twice as hard.

With that the four said their goodbyes and Storm sidled up behind Hermione to wave to the pair as they disapparated with a pop. She had dropped her nose to bury in the curls of dark hair that hid Hermione's neck. Her arms wrapping around the smaller woman's waist, sighing as she felt Hermione's hands fold over her own, squeezing gently.

"How are you feeling?" The older woman spoke as she turned in the younger woman's grasp, making no move to get further away as she did so.

"A little bit better, much more awake now" Storm stated quietly, her dark eyes fluttering shut as Hermione ran her fingers through dark untamed hair, pushing it back and out of her face.

"So, Spain then?" Storm added after a moment, moving to follow after the brunette who had pulled away to wander back into the house. Shutting the glass sliding door behind them as she went. Her dark eyes never straying far from the woman she would soon call her wife.

"I can't imagine anything more relaxing" Hermione stated simply, "A good book next to a pool somewhere hot" She quipped with a laugh, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement as she turned to look towards Storm once again.

"I can imagine many things more relaxing than reading Hermione" Storm muttered, a wry smirk taking her features as she dropped the dish of freshly warmed leftover pizza to the coffee table before flopping down to the sofa none too gently. "But whatever tickles your fancy" She laughed then, chuckling to herself softly as she considered the fact that actually she doubted Hermione would find more enjoyment doing anything else.

"Well, you can do whatever you like… Nap in the sun or go swimming in the ocean. That'll leave me some peace" Hermione stated with a smirk as she sat beside her soon to be wife. "Did you want to go to a magical, or muggle hotel? Or did you want to see about renting a villa or something?" She asked, and the question really stumped the younger woman for a moment.

She considered the options then, she knew if they went magical there wouldn't be a lot in the way of adventure. Magical folk tended to stick to what it was they knew, and while she loved being a witch an a shifter, she also found some intrigue in the muggle world. "I vote Muggle, and we can go to a big fancy hotel where nobody knows us" She stated finally, leaning over to press a tender kiss to the older woman's lips.

"Well, shall we go tomorrow and speak to someone about getting that booked in? We can have a look at wedding bands, and some other bits and bobs also. When I go back to work I'll speak to Kingsley and ask about him officiating the ceremony for us" Hermione spoke almost a mile a minute, obviously excited by the prospect of putting a plan in place and really getting to work on the preparations of what was to come.

"That sounds like a plan to me" Storm agreed as she lent over to grab the plate with pizza on. She still didn't have a huge appetite, but figured she'd have to put something in her stomach to keep her energy up. "Do you know what else we could do on Honeymoon?" She quizzed then, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips.

"I dread to think, but go on?" Hermione humoured her, as she moved to take a slice of her own from the dish Storm had settled on her knee.

"We can practice baby making" Storm added with a cheeky wink and a waggle of her eyebrows. She looked all together proud of herself for the suggestion, and Hermione couldn't fight the roll of her eyes.

"You are absolutely insatiable, honestly." She scolded playfully, watching as Storm's smile never faltered. "Of course that's not exactly an exclusive to honeymoon activity" She added with a coy smirk of her own, watching as Storm went wide eyed. Her expression near comical.

"And I'm insatiable?" She quizzed, tone laced with disbelief as her expression changed to something much more smug. "Well, whenever you want to practice, I'll check my schedule" She added teasingly, shaking her head with a laugh.

"Well, you know I am a stickler for perfection and practice does make perfect" Hermione stated simply, her tone sure as she moved to take the clicker from the side to flick through the channels as they munched on their pizza.

"Oh I am well aware of you and your need for things to be just so" Storm stated simply, shaking her head as she settled a little further into the cushions of their sofa. "I would definitely not be against practicing of this sort" Storm added simply.

"I should hope not!" Hermione spoke incredulously, nudging the younger woman with her shoulder as she watched a smirk pull its way across the Shifter's face. "I'd be very concerned if that was something you were against." She added as she finished her slice, moving to press her side to Storm's. Grateful for the warmth the young woman offered to her.

Storm just laughed, moving to drop the now empty plate down in front of them before she settled back down. Draping an arm across the older woman's shoulders, pulling her in just a little bit closer as she ducked down to press a gentle kiss to her lips. "I still can't believe you actually want to marry me" She stated again quietly, almost whispering the words.

"I can't believe a lot of things" Hermione spoke just as quietly, "Like how I got so lucky to have you after how horribly I treated you both at Hogwarts and at the start of this relationship. I was so incredibly daft" Hermione added, her fingers moving to trace the sharp underside of Storm's jaw. Dark eyes fixed to dark eyes in the dim light of the living room.

"Well, there's always a reason for everything. I got it, I'm not upset Hermione" Storm added, reassuring her soon to be wife. She would never be able to even imagine being with anyone else. Their future was bright, and neither could wait for what was to come next. Time would fly by, they were sure of it.

The next day would be full of excitement and for now they were quite content with their normal routine, holiday or not. It was the best Christmas Storm had had in a long while, very content with the events. Well, excluding the attack but that was something they had decided not to dwell on until the holidays were over at least.