Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot of this story.
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Days blurred into weeks that passed without Hermione and Ginny speaking to each other much outside of the low whispers that would pass between them when one managed to corner the other alone. Both girls were terrified by the emotions blossoming inside them, especially by the intensity of the feelings that had exploded into being.
And each encounter, each quick kiss stolen in the shadows left them desperate for more.
Traditionally, the first Friday of every month, the girls in Hermione's dorm held a "girls' night", during which they would preen, talk, and occasionally imbibe, if they could get their hands on some alcohol. This week was special because Pavarti had talked her cousin, who was of age, into helping her get her hands on a respectable amount of Firewhiskey.
Hermione didn't want to drink, especially in front of her incredibly observant and somewhat predatory roommates, but she had already ditched them too many times and couldn't get out of tonight. At first she sipped slowly on an untainted pumpkin juice, but after everyone around her had choked back a few shots, growing ever more obnoxious, Hermione succumbed to their demands and drank a fair bit herself. By ten, she was feeling a bit loopy. By midnight, she was flat out drunk. They sat on their pillows in a circle on the floor, giggling at the tiniest things and coating their toenails in an iridescent polish that was spelled to change with their moods. Hermione knew it was much more complicated than muggle mood rings, but still thought it was all utter rubbish.
As the others became deeply engrossed in conversation about the importance of penis size, Lavender leaned over and whispered roughly in Hermione's ear.
"So, are you going to tell me what's up with you and Ginny?"
The color drained from Hermione's face as she quickly glanced around to make sure no one else had heard. "What?"
"Do you love her?"
"Of course I do. She's my best friend. Why would you ask me something like that?"
"I think anyone with half a brain can tell she's more than just a good friend to you. Are you going to let me in on the juicy details or not?"
Hermione looked flabbergasted. Lavender, unperturbed as always, continued on.
"Come on! At least let me know if you're tied down or not."
"Tied down?"
"Hogwarts isn't exactly a huge school. There aren't many girls like us, so I'm just interested in knowing whether you happen to be available."
Hermione looked at her, clearly stunned.
"Well," Lavender said, stretching, "I'm going to go shower off. Anyone care to join me?"
The other girls didn't seem to have even heard her. They were huddled together, and from what Hermione could hear of their excited whispers, still talking about boys. She didn't like the idea of being left alone with that lot. And she was certainly dying to know what Lavender had been talking about.
"I suppose I should take a shower before bed, too." Hermione muttered, moving quickly to the door that had already swung shut behind her friend.
She could hear the water running as she entered the washroom. She moved to the open shower beside the large one at the end Lavender had clearly occupied, and turned on the water.
"You can shower in here if you want." Lavenders voice floated through the curtain, sounding particularly melodic in the odd acoustics of the tiled room. "I've managed to get the perfect temperature."
The faucets there were fussy, to say the least. Hermione found herself rather pleased with the idea of not having to spend forever fiddling with the faucet, searching for the impossibly tiny point between ice cold and hot enough to scald. She quickly disrobed and stepped through the large curtain into the shower at the end, closing her eyes happily as the steam wrapped itself around her body.
As the warm water ran down her body, Hermione realized how very much she'd had to drink. She stole a glance at Lavender, who watched her with dilated and somewhat unfocused eyes. After a long silence, Hermione finally found enough composure to speak.
"So, what did you mean, 'girls like us'?" she asked, fixing Lavender with what she could only hope was a penetrating stare.
Lavender giggled. "You know, a little funny. Girls that swing both ways or maybe don't like boys at all."
Hermione looked at her questioningly, mind fuzzy with alcohol.
Lavender, who was running out of patience, finally asked, "So are you and Ginny an item, or what?" Hermione had never felt so naked as when Lavender's eyes traveled slowly over her exposed body.
"An item? Like with a boy? Goodness, no!"
Lavender was grinning like a Cheshire cat, though for the life of her, Hermione couldn't figure out why. "What's the deal, then?"
Hermione shrugged. "Sometimes we… practice… just so we know what to do… when we get boyfriends."
"Is that what you're telling yourselves now?" Lavender laughed, though the sound was somewhat hollow.
Hermione looked puzzled.
Once she was able to keep a straight face, Lavender turned to her with questioning eyes. "Do you want to practice with me?"
"What?" Hermione tried to stop her head from swimming, feeling somewhat dazed.
Lavender pouted. "Well," she said sadly, "I've been with boys before, but it never really lasted… Am I doing something wroing?"
Hermione smiled at her. "I'm sure you're not."
And before she could say another word, Lavender was kissing her. It felt wrong, but Hermione couldn't deny the rush it gave her. She wrapped her arms around the other girl's naked body, reveling in the sensation created as their tongues darted back and forth in an intricate dance Hermione had never imagined she knew. They froze, still pressed together, as they heard the door swing open.
"Hermione, are you okay?" Ginny's voice called, "your roommates said you left suddenly and hadn't been back, and I wanted to talk to you."
Slippers slapped the tile approaching the only shower that was currently running, pausing before the curtain that obscured the two girls locked in a confusing embrace.
"Hermione?" Ginny's fingers crept around the edge of the curtain. Lavender nudged Hermione, who was at a loss for words.
Then the cool air of the bathroom rushed in, hitting two naked bodies that were now deeply intertwined.
Ginny stood, frozen in shock. A single tear crept loose before she turned and fled, leaving Hermione desperate to follow, but too confused to move right away.