The flat was spacious with three bedrooms, a cavernous living room and a well-equipped kitchen. The overlooking view of historic Glastonbury Square was exquisite. It was close to the university but far enough away to afford much needed privacy. There were only two drawbacks. The rent was nigh close to monthly extortion and there was only one bathroom. For three unattached females in their prime mate seeking years, one bathroom was a serious issue requiring much coordination and compromise. The three roommates divvied up bathroom time zealously guarding their hourly slots. Violations and cheating earned the offender the last morning shower slot of the following day.
Hermione Granger leaned back in her bath scooping up handfuls of foam. It was her slot time, 8pm, and, as her roommates had quickly learned, she coveted her solitude like Midas did his golden treasures. What they did not know was the reason for her miserliness. They were her roommates but she was not about to divulge anything to them about the most memorable twenty-four hours of her young life. Her memories of her first real sexual experience was indelibly linked to hot, scented water, a red chaise lounge and a most considerate and passionate lover.
Behind her head lay a charmed scarlet pillow covered by tantric runes. As she leaned back, the pillow's magic, much like a pensieve, took her back to that first time allowing her to relieve the experience all over again. It had all started with a game of five card strip poker and ended with her awakening as a woman, a well loved woman. She fully relaxed losing herself in memory as she did every single night. Juggling a backbreaking class schedule as well as working part time, this nightly indulgence kept her sane. She allowed herself to lose track of time and place.
Some time later, a loud banging pulled her out of her dream gasping and flushed. "Hermione! Your hour is up! You fall asleep in the tub every night. One of these days I'm going to put an alarm spell in there." The irate knocker was Madeline Robeir, witch and aspiring artist. "Hermione, wake up!"
"All right! Give me a minute!" Hermione composed herself as she emptied the tub and cast a quick clean spell all around. After putting on her robe, tucking the pillow under her arm and picking up her hairbrush, she left the bathroom. "All yours. Thanks for waking me."
"Thank you." Madeline murmured as she entered and closed the door behind her. "I've never met a person who loved baths like you do."
"You must be part fish, Hermione." This came from Grace Whitcomb Hermione's other roommate. Grace had had the apartment first and Hermione sublet from her. Unlike Madeline or Hermione, Grace was undecided on her course in school or in life. Grace may have been indecisive but she did not lack for determination. She was taking a great variety of courses to see what interested her most. So, here she was on the sofa with books littering the floor around her. Hermione joined her in the living room. She curled her legs under her and began to brush out her hair. "Um, Hermione, I have a favor to ask."
"Sure. What is it?" Hermione replied.
"You know Derek the one I was telling you about? We are finally going out on a date but there's a small bit I'm going to need your help with," Grace explained.
Hermione sighed. Grace had been trying for months to get Derek to notice her. It seems her efforts had paid off. "Let's hear it."
"I need you to double date with us and his cousin." Grace hurried on before Hermione could object. "It would just be this one time. His cousin is visiting and needs the diversion."
"Oh, Grace, I can't."
"Why not? You don't have a boyfriend. I've never known you to go out on a date."
"Well, he's not exactly my boyfriend. We're just involved." Even to Hermione's ears what she had just said made little sense.
"What does THAT mean?" Grace leaned forward, books and studies forgotten. Her quiet roommate of four months was finally going to open up and she did not want to miss a word. Too bad Madeline wasn't around. On second thought, it was a good thing Madeline wasn't around.
"We're lovers." Hermione tried to say the words as matter-of-factly as she could but she couldn't stop the blush that creeped up her neck and then to her face.
"You're lovers but not boyfriend and girlfriend?" asked a puzzled Grace. "And you don't date other people?"
"I see no reason to. He's all I want," Hermione declared.
"He must be some man!" Grace chuckled.
"Oh, he is. He is." Hermione's wide smile told Grace more than her words did.
"I understand about your situation, Hermione, but please understand mine. Don't think of it as a date." Grace pleaded. "He would never know. It's just for one night with dinner and then a show. Say you'll do it, please, PLEASE?"
Hermione thought about it. It's one night out. I've been buried in classwork for months. What could go wrong? "All right. I'll do it. But I'm only going to be there to keep his cousin company, understand? There must be no romantic expectations at all. Not even any flirting."
"You are the best!" Grace gave Hermione a quick squeeze. "We'll all have a great time. You'll see."
"I better not regret this," said Hermione returning the hug. "I hope his cousin isn't a complete bore."
Grace exclaimed. "I'm going to make sure that you have a good time."
