Chapter 20

Days passed and soon Storm's first game of the year rolled around. She found herself a little forlorn as she changed into her robes within their own stadium's changing rooms. The rest of the team was chattering around her, and she found she just couldn't get on board with the atmosphere. Something was missing, something that she hadn't played a game without for almost fifteen years.

She looked to her side, the side Ginny was normally at playfully sniping and poking fun at the Shifter who now stood alone. The redhead she had grown so very fond of would be sat with Hermione and Harry in the stands and Storm found absolutely no comfort in that fact. She was dreading the game, dreading this next step. She was ecstatic for her best friend and the baby they would be welcoming in a few months time, but that didn't stop the longing she felt in her chest when she considered her quidditch career would now continue alone.

A heavy hand landed on her back in a quick slap as she was beckoned out with the rest of the team. They had the weather on side today, and she supposed that was definitely a bonus. It was bitter, and freezing but the sun was high in the mid morning sky and there was hardly any wind.

Their new captain had been chosen after she had politely declined the position. The Story of how she would be leading the World Cup team having broke just afterwards to explain her lack of interest in taking the role on. The woman in question was a year or so younger than she was, and next to Ginny she was the best Chaser they had.

She was stood before them all giving a speech Storm couldn't figure out, her words made no sense as they met her ears over the roar of the crowd in the stands as the other team made their way out. The rest of the team seemed pumped, the group of women crowded in close as they listened to their new captain. There was a buzz, the kind of buzz that happened after not having played for a while.

Before they knew it they were up in the air, in their typical formation. Though, once again there was a distinct lack of red beside her as she hovered above the ground. Her dark eyes flicked to the blur of the stands, too far away to really make out any one person in particular.

The whistle had blown and the rest of the team shot off, leaving her sat motionless for a moment or so. A moment or so far too long as a bludger sailed through the air and collided solidly with her shoulder. The impact made her waver on her broom, her eyes shut tight in a wince as she tried her best to shake it off and right herself.

She couldn't sit still, she was a big target. With Ginny gone of course she would be. They were formidable as a pair in the Quidditch world. She figured she had something to prove now, it wasn't just the redhead that made her good.

Storm's grip tightened on her handle as she finally kicked herself into gear and out of the haze that had settled so solidly over her entire being. There was still something missing, but she had to do her best regardless. There wasn't much that she'd let get her down.

"Oi! Halfbreed!" Was shouted over the wind in her ears as the other team's seeker sidled up beside her, his lips curled into a grotesque grin as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What did you just call me?" She shouted back, though there need be no question. She had heard exactly what he had said. She knew he was baiting her, and it just wouldn't do. "Did you leave your brain cells on the pitch?" She questioned him, her voice sharp as she watched his snarl falter and his eyes widen.

"So is Weasley's baby yours? We all know how cosy you two are?" He called again after regaining his composure, shouting almost towards her back as she picked up the pace a little, not happy with the way the conversation was riling her barely there temper.

She scoffed then, unable to really believe the none-sense that had spilled from the poor excuse for a players lips. It was a clever tactic and of course in any other situation it might work, but not only was Hermione watching, Ginny was too.

"Or were you just biding your time until Granger became available?" He added again before dropping back to duck away from a bludger their own beater had aimed his way. Moving just in time to duck away from the solid iron ball.

It distracted him just enough for Storm to spot the snitch down below and rocket herself towards it. The glinting gold ball shimmering in the light of the sun, taking her mind entirely from the taunting she had just received. She grew closer and closer, the commentators voice booming around the area, ricocheting and echoing off the stands and into the air around her.

The entire thing sending a thrill up her spine, eradicating the rage that had bubbled up just under the surface. She reached out to grab the ball then, her fingers wrapping around the metal quickly. Just in time for the other Seeker to finally catch up to her, sinking a sharp elbow into the underside of her jaw.

The action almost flipped her off her broom, catching her off guard entirely. She retaliated then, wrapping her fingers into his robes to yank him as hard as she could, her shoulder screaming in pain from where she had been hit earlier. Her jaw tightened as he too reached for her, tugging her off and into the air around them. The little golden ball forgotten somewhere along the way.

They struggled as they fell, and then they landed with a hard thud. The earth beneath them unforgiving, hard and not yet entirely thawed under the morning sun. The impact took the breath right from her chest, but before the other seeker had time to even react she was on him. Scrambling up to slam a fist into his face so solidly.

"You shouldn't be allowed to play if you're going to resort to dirty tactics" She growled as he squirmed under her, her fingers having found his chest to keep him sprawled along the floor. "How dare you speak about Ginny or Hermione. How Dare you" She spoke again, the rage coming back ten fold as she considered the implications of what exactly it was he had said.

Another solid blow sending blood spurting from his nose and a groan from his chest as his head lulled to the side and he struggled beneath her. "You're crazy!" He shouted then, struggling free from her grip finally.

"You're scum" She spat then, her voice full of venom as her teammates finally caught up to them. A pair of arms wrapped around her waist to yank her off before they could be disqualified. Bust ups happened all the time in Quidditch, it wasn't like it was shocking to anyone involved.

She shrugged off whoever it was that had grabbed her, muttering under her breath about how people like him shouldn't be allowed to play this game. Words like halfbreed had no place in this world, not anymore.

Before anyone could catch up to her she was changed and gone. Storming through the halls now crowded with people in order to get out and into the daylight. As soon as she could she disapparated, landing with a soft pop on the decking outside their home.

She was unsurprised to find Harry, Hermione and Ginny all waiting for her as she marched into the living room. Her rage still bubbling away beneath as she paused when all eyes found hers. She expected a bollocking, to be yelled at and told she couldn't do that type of thing. But nothing came.

That morning's daily prophet was laid out on the coffee table, a photo of herself and Ginny embracing in the Cauldron moved on the front page. She could see the headline already, easily distinguishable in it's simplicity. "Weasley's baby actually Griffin's?"

Her face twisted up in disgust then, there had been many rumours over the years of the status of their friendship. The tabloid had accused them of having an affair for as long as they could remember, so of course it wasn't an actual shock. It did explain where he had gotten the taunting from.

"Was this what he said?" Ginny questioned first, her light eyes warm as they fixed themselves to the shifter. She looked the most calm out of the three. Harry and Hermione both looked as angry as the other did, and Storm wondered briefly if she was the one they were angry with.

"Obviously, he also suggested we've been sleeping together just to keep me busy until Hermione became available all after calling me a halfbreed" Storm stated, muttering under her breath as she watched Ginny stand to move to her.

"You got a few really good shots in. I'm sure he'll think twice before he does something so idiotic again." She quipped a little proudly, her voice light as she moved to take in Storm's split lip from where he hit her with his elbow. She was used to the injuries Quidditch evoked, but had never thought she'd be sat out on them.

"Well, we just wanted to make sure you were okay before we headed home. Harry is going to write a very pointed letter to the Prophet. Hopefully whatever they're saying will be retracted by tomorrow" She added a little absently, and Storm noted then the green eyed boy had stood too. He was now watching them both, but not in a way that screamed jealousy.

Storm knew he was well aware of their relationship. They were best friends, and that's where it had stopped. There was nothing even remotely romantic about how they interacted with each other, though from an outsiders perspective she figured it could sometimes look that way.

"They have a lovely habit of running some seriously grasping headlines. Anything to sell a paper I suppose" He added, and she was surprised by how light his voice was. That definitely soothed her nerves, and she realised of course he wouldn't be mad at her. "We'll see you later" He added as he moved to follow his wife out, Ginny already having made her way past the youngest witch and out into the kitchen.

Hermione was the only one left in the room then, her dark eyes trained on a spot on the area carpet beneath Storm's feet. She was sat impossibly straight, her jaw tight as she sat as still as could be. Storm was almost nervous to make a move, or say anything. She figured she'd never been on the receiving end of Hermione's wrath this side of twenty. It had been a long time since she'd seen this particular look and she knew she was in for a doozy.

"Hermione, i'm sorry" She started, truthfully. Her head dropped as all the fire left her, all the rage escaped and left nothing but embarrassment in its wake. This woman, this successful, smart, beautiful woman surely shouldn't have to deal with a raging fool for a partner.

Her own eyes met her feet as she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, waiting for her soon to be wife to let loose. Waiting for the scolding of a lifetime. She wasn't waiting long, and before she knew it there was a smaller body crashing into her own.

Hermione's arms wrapped around her shoulder's as gently as possible as she pulled the taller woman down into herself. "You have nothing to be sorry for, though I don't like violence you should absolutely not have to deal with terms like… well like Halfbreed." She stated strongly, her voice so sure and confident as she ran a hand through Storm's hair.

Storm's eyes widened in surprise, this had not been the reaction she had expected at all. "That's not why I hit him" She clarified, an eyebrow raised as dark eyes met equally dark eyes. "I hit him because Ginny's name and your name should never follow such disgusting words" She spoke honestly, shaking her head as she did so.

"Well, whatever the reason. It doesn't make a difference. What he said was disgusting, and entirely uncalled for. All to what, try and win a game?" Hermione spoke then, her voice tense as she considered what had happened a little disbelievingly. Her own eyebrow raised in question as she spoke.

"I definitely agree with you there." Storm muttered as she moved to press a tender kiss to each of the brunette's cheeks. "I thought you were mad at me" She spoke quietly as her lips met warm skin.

"I was" Hermione stated simply, "You got hit with a bludger within a minute of the whistle, and then you get pulled off your broom and start punching another player!" The brunette stated with a scoff, it all sounded so… awful when she put it that way.

She had almost forgotten about getting hit by the bludger, after all the commotion it wasn't really the most pressing thing to happen. Her shoulder was incredibly sore and starting to stiffen up more as the time went on. "Are you alright?" The older woman asked then, her voice and expression changing entirely.

It was much softer than it had been, her words warm as they hit Storm's ears. Her dark doe eyes bright as she looked up at the shifter. She had never really considered the implications of Storm's status as a shifter. She hadn't really thought she had too. Since the war there had been many changes that had been brought in place, and words like halfbreed were used very very rarely.

"I am absolutely fine" Storm muttered quietly, she figured if she spoke any louder it might ruin the moment. Her own dark eyes captured entirely by soft dark pools as they met her gaze so softly. She should have guessed Hermione would side with her, especially after everything had been laid out.

"Well, I'm a little sore actually. I think I should take a hot shower and see how bad this bruise is going to be" She added with a low chuckle. "I would feel so much better if that shower wasn't alone?" She quipped cheekily.

Hermione paused for a moment to pull back and really regard the younger witch for a moment. A wide smile tugged at Storm's lips threatening to split her face entirely. Within a moment she was spinning on heel, taking Storm's hand with her own to tug the taller woman up the stairs towards their bedroom.

"It's not like we have much else to do today" Hermione quipped as she led the way up their wooden stairs. Storm all but bouncing with excitement as she followed along behind her. Obviously the injuries she'd been left with after the game had been forgotten.

"My thoughts exactly, and then maybe we could have a sofa nap afterwards" Storm spoke, her tone light as she did so.

"Why do you sound more excited for a sofa nap than what's to come before that?" Hermione questioned, though her voice was teasing as she tugged the younger woman into their bedroom. Storm hot on her heels as she did so, wasting no time in hurrying the brunette into the bathroom attached to their room.

Her body collided heavily with Hermione's smaller one, pushing the older woman back into the sink. Her lips crashing non too gently into Hermione's own plump ones, taking her bottom lip between her own. If she surprised the older witch, Hermione hid it well. The question left entirely unanswered lingering in the air around them.

The brunette caught up quickly, moving to tug at the hem of Storm's hoody and t-shirt all in one go, pulling it up and off her quidditch toned frame. Moving to allow the younger woman to do the same to her, lifting her arms for just a moment so Storm could pull her own clothing off. The sound of fabric hitting the floor echoed for a second amongst already heavy breathing.

Stripping was quick work, and before Hermione knew it she was being hoisted up by strong arms. Her own snaking around Storm's neck to pull herself closer to the younger woman as she wrapped her legs around Storm's hips. Holding herself tight to the younger woman with strong thighs, a heavy sigh escaping her lips followed quickly by a squeal as Storm pressed her tightly to the cold tiles against the shower wall.

The younger woman used the leverage she had created to hold Hermione in place while she fiddled with the taps to start the spray. Hot water shuddering to a start as warm spray began to soak them both where they stood. Their kiss having become sloppy as Storm moved to pull away just enough to mutter against her lips.

"I'm so glad you weren't mad at me" She whispered quietly before taking the shorter woman's lips once again. Though, the kiss had changed and had become much calmer and more gentle. Hermione's hands snaking up to push her own hair out of her face as it became soaking, pushing it back off her neck, leaving soft smooth skin open to the Shifter's lips.

"I hate that he used that word against you" Hermione quipped, her voice hushed as strong fingers held the younger woman in place. Splaying out against the top of her spine as they coiled around her neck, stroking soft skin there as she sighed into the air.

The younger woman's lips making quick work of turning her into nothing more than a puddle in her hands. Storm's strong fingers pressed into plush flesh of Hermione's thighs as she held her in place, unwavering. "It's okay, I get it more than you'd think. It comes with the territory." Storm muttered against the older woman's skin as she dropped her head to kiss a hot trail across the brunette's exposed collar bone.

That simple statement halted Hermione for a moment, her eyes snapping open in surprise at how blasé the Shifter had been about the situation. How calm she was when it came to someone insulting herself. How so very enraged she had become over someone tarnishing either Hermione or Ginny's name.

It was a stark reminder of how protective she was of anyone she held close. Hermione knew regardless of what happened in their future she would be protected at all costs. Storm was unwavering in her loyalty and her courage when it came to defending others around her.

"Storm" She whimpered as her thoughts were entirely erased as Storm's fingers slid around her body, as they began toying slowly with her nipples each in turn. Still holding her up, strong muscles tense under the strain. Her dark eyes had found Hermione's own as a sly smirk tugged at her lips, watching the older woman intensely as she teased sensitive peaks.

"Yes Hermione?" She answered as if it was the most casual thing in the world, though her lips never dropped. Her features never changed. Her fingers slid over slick skin, gently with practiced ease before she dropped her head then and hoisted the brunette a little higher. Her lips catching one of the pink buds as she did so. Replacing her fingers with her tongue as she swirled circles.

The older woman couldn't help but allow her head to fall back to collide with a soft thud to the tile behind her, dark eyes fluttering shut as she gripped at dark hair at the roots. Holding Storm in place for a moment as she enjoyed the sensation that was sending sparks throughout her body. Her core absolutely molten as hellfire spilled from her centre in the form of liquid lust.

Storm's own hum vibrated from her lips, straight into her very being as she appreciated the way the older woman tugged at her hair. It was always so gentle, not like when she dug her fingernails into her flesh. It was almost as if she just couldn't get as close as Hermione actually wanted her to be. Though, she tried; she always tried.

Fingers moved then to slide between them as water cascaded over their shoulders easing the journey. Storm found her destination quickly, and fingertips swiped over the already swollen bundle of nerves between Hermione's legs. The older woman's sigh audible as her grip on the younger witch grew a fraction tighter.

Sighs soon became gasps, and gasps soon became moans. She muttered words that meant nothing but everything in that moment into Storm's ear as the Shifter drove her closer and closer to release. Drawing it out as long as she could before she was crashing, tumbling so willingly into the abyss that was her own pleasure.

The Shifter right there to hold her as she came down, strong arms keeping her grounded as the waves started to ebb and her twitching thighs began to still once again. Chest heaving in the steam of the shower as dark eyes that had snapped shut moments before fluttered open again. She was unsurprised to find Storm watching her, her dark gaze intense as she held her tightly against the now heated shower tiles.

"How are you still holding me like this?" Hermione questioned, motioning down towards where their bodies connected.

"You are like half my size, and I do have to keep myself on a broom for a living" Storm quipped as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Her words punctuated by gentle kisses scattered across the bridge of the older woman's nose.

Ignoring as best she could Hermione's own hand slipping down between them, a coy smile tugging at her lips as she sunk fingers deep within Storm's own core. The younger woman putting up no resistance. "Is this a challenge?" The shifter quizzed then, unsure if she could continue to hold the older woman up whilst being so very distracted.

"I do like a challenge" Hermione quipped as she started her fingers working the younger woman up at an incredibly quick pace. Storm never lasted very long if she went second, something that secretly wound Hermione up to no end. She knew Storm liked to do things to her, and frequently worked herself into a frenzy whilst doing so.

"Oh merlin" Storm muttered, her dark eyes squeezing shut as she pulled her own bottom lip in between her teeth in an attempt to steady herself. Her chest already beginning to heave as waves of pleasure battered her.

Hermione's lips found her earlobe then, in a tactical move from the brunette who was quite clearly playing hardball. She nibbled at the sensitive flesh there for just a moment before pulling away to whisper into the younger woman's ear. "You know, I don't know if I'd be more satisfied by a win or a loss in this instance" She quipped, her voice coy and quiet as she worked her fingers in the most maddening way.

There was something in the way she sounded, in the way her voice was all but a low husk as her heated breath licked at Storm's skin that had the Shifter tightening her grip. Her own fingers all but numb through the exertion of trying to keep them both upright. She snapped her eyes open then in an attempt to find Hermione's own, surprised to see the older woman was already watching her. Dark eyes bright and full of intrigue as she watched the Shifter come undone.

Storm was reduced to no more than a shuddering mess in a matter of minutes. Her strong thighs quaking where she stood as she struggled to hold them both up. A wide smirk pulling at Hermione's lips as she finally wriggled free of the grasp Storm had on her backside. Her own feet meeting the slick floor carefully as she lent up to pull the younger woman still wracked with aftershock down for a congratulatory kiss.

"What do I get for winning" Storm questioned then through her own panting, moving to nuzzle her nose against the shorter woman's cheek. "Please, let's also bare in mind that I did take a bludger to the shoulder earlier today also so my prize should be extra good" She added as an almost afterthought.

Hermione couldn't help the laugh that had escaped her throat, figuring she had indeed succeeded in pulling Storm's attention away from what had happened earlier that day. Pulled both their attention away from the ghastly Prophet article that had tried to paint best friends as adulterous lovers. As soon as she had seen it it had set her own rage alight at the audacity. Of course, she'd seen similar articles before, but none to that degree.

She never questioned Storm, or Ginny for that matter. She knew what the nature of their relationship was and always had been. There was no worry there, but she hated the smear campaign the newspaper seemed to have towards the entire group.

"Well, how about we get out of the shower and I show you?" Hermione stated then, moving to push the younger woman away playfully so she could step fully under the spray in order to rinse herself off.

"I like the sound of that!" Storm stated, almost leaping from within the confines of the showers walls in order to grab a towel. A harsh bruise already forming where she had been hit by the iron ball more evident now that Hermione had the opportunity to actually have a look. Another bruise marred her chin, and her lip was swollen and split. Though, that didn't really seem to affect her much at all given the performance she had just put on.

Hours later they would finally make their way downstairs lazily to sort some form of dinner out. Hermione wrangling Storm into a chair so she could put a hefty coat of bruise paste across her injuries, not that Storm really seemed to bothered about them. The atmosphere returning to it's usual lightness after a horrible morning.

She found she couldn't quite wait for the next day. Harry and Ginny would be coming for breakfast like they did every other Sunday. It would be their first week back into the full swing of normality, and Hermione found that sometimes normality was just what they needed.