A/N: I don't own Harry Potter
This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Auction Day 28 Hermione/Susan
Assignment 4 – Survival Skills - Task #2: Clothing: It's always good to have a change of clothes, especially if a disaster leaves you stranded in the wilderness where you may get dirty, wet, etc.
Write about someone making a change in their life.
Word Count: 1116
Warning: mentions sex
Hermione had barely stumbled through the doorway of the flat her and Susan shared before nearly passing out on the sofa. Susan was next to her so quickly Hermione wondered if she'd appararted.
"Work was that bad?" she asked, pulling Hermione's feet into her lap and sliding off her shoes.
"Two more people quit, the dragon pox epidemic is reaching its peak, and the whole office thinks I'm a laughing stock because of the work I'm doing on elvish welfare," Hermione answered, laying back against the padded armrest of the sofa. Her eyes were blood shot, her hair was frizzed out, and Susan could see black circles under her eyes.
"When was the last time you even slept?" she asked. Hermione blinked, looking at Susan.
"What day is it again?"
"Friday," Susan answered, slowly starting to rub Hermione's feet, she pulled off her stocking and glanced at the pink toe nail polish.
"Then Tuesday. I slept for an hour on Tuesday instead of meeting Draco for lunch."
"I'm sure that went over well," Susan pointed out. Hermione let out a little half laugh.
"He was furious, then concerned, and then offered to buy my whole department and fire Kim."
"That's your boss, the one whose making everyone quit by making a mess of the whole scheduling system?"
"Yeah, that's her. She's also the one who mocked my project in front of everyone, thus making me a laughing stock."
"You're not a laughing stock, Hermione. You're just a breath of fresh air in a world of stuffy traditionalists who don't believe in change," Susan stated, giving Hermione a smile. "Were you wearing this for Draco?" she asked, pointing to the nail polish.
"What? Oh, no, I... I don't know. Maybe? He's just... I mean..."
"Do you like him like that even? I mean, even in the paper I can see the distance," Susan stated.
"It's complicated. I mean, he could do so much good, if directed in the right way. He's not bad looking."
"Is there a spark though?" Susan asked, looking at Hermione.
"No," Hermione admitted with a sigh. "There's not. There's no chemistry between us, I care about him, but more like a business partner than a lover."
"Are you lovers?" Susan asked.
"Once, we did it once. It was, well -"
"Not magic, not a moment of being so blissed out that you forget the whole world around you?" Susan finished. Hermione stared at her.
"Exactly. See, you know what passion feels like, what it's supposed to be like. I... I don't think I've ever felt that," Hermione admitted slowly. Susan could see Hermione sink further against the cushions.
"Maybe you just haven't found the right person yet?" she suggested. "Who have you been with?"
"Why are we talking about this even?" Hermione asked, sounding frustrated.
"Because it's getting your mind off your job, and the fact you're not in love with Draco," Susan answered. "So, spill."
"Ron, Viktor, Draco," Hermione answered.
"Interesting. I didn't know you and Viktor had been together like that."
"Summer after fifth year, before everything went to hell," Hermione explained. Susan nodded.
"And what do all of these people have in common?"
"Quidditch?" Hermione asked. Susan giggled.
"True, but I was thinking, they're all boys, well, men, but still," she said, shrugging slightly.
"So?"
"Hermione, do you even like boys?" Susan asked pointedly. "I know we're all kind of brainwashed into the girls like boys things, but not all girls like boys and maybe I kind of don't like boys?"
"I've never given it any thought, wait.. are you hitting on me?" Hermione asked, staring at her roommate.
"Well, yeah, I am hitting on you, Hermione. I've tried being subtle, little things, but I guess you didn't notice, and I've kind of had a crush on you since that day you stood up in the atrium and yelled about elvish rights, with that sign?"
"The one that changed colors?"
"Yeah, that one," Susan giggled. "I mean, I can understand if you don't like me like that, or don't like girls like that, but I have to try. I'm sick of feeling like this and not telling you."
"I'm not sure what I think about you, Susan. I have never thought about... me and another girl, or anyone other than a guy, well there was that dream about Ginny."
"Weasley?"
"Know any other Ginnys?" Hermione asked.
"No, no I don't," Susan answered.
"Let's try this, one kiss, see if it does anything? I mean, if nothing happens, then nothing lost?"
"Sure, one kiss and if it doesn't work, then we can still be roommates and friends," Susan agreed, as Hermione sat up. They sat face to face for a few minutes, both scared of making the first move. Susan because she wanted this to mean something, and if it didn't, then all her feelings would be for naught. She wondered why Hermione was hesitating. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and she pushed her lips against Hermione's. The taste of strawberries filled her mouth. For a moment, she nearly forgot to breathe. Susan felt Hermione's arms wrap around her, pulling her closer, neither girl breaking the kiss. Finally they pulled apart and looked into each others eyes.
"That was..." Susan whispered, hoping Hermione had felt the same.
"I don't know if I like girls or not, but I like you, and I want to keep doing that, with you," Hermione said finally. Her hand grabbed Susan's and slowly their fingers intertwined.
"Let's not worry about other girls right now. Let's worry about the fact that was an amazing kiss, and you need sleep, so I should be forcing you to bed," Susan stated, noticing how Hermione looked exhausted. Hermione giggled, the kind of giggle that comes from either being drunk, beyond exhausted, or completely in love.
"You're just trying to get me to bed," she muttered, laying her head on Susan's shoulder.
"No, I'm just making sure the witch I really like is taken care of," Susan stated, wrapping an arm around Hermione and apparating them to Hermione's bedroom. Hermione yawned, curling up on the bed. Susan smiled, tucking her in and kissing her on the forehead.
"Susan?"
"Yes?"
"Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Hermione asked, patting the bed next to her.
"Sure," Susan agreed, climbing in next to Hermione. Hermione laid her head against Susan, a smile on her face. She was asleep within minutes. Slowly Susan managed to slide out of Hermione's arms. She smiled looking at the witch. She kissed Hermione's forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my Hermione," she whispered before heading to her own room, glad she'd finally given her feelings a fighting chance.