Chapter Thirteen

Broken Will

Hermione bit her lip and tried not to think about it. About the fact that Ginny's girlfriend was less than ten feet away, laughing with Harry. She wanted to go over and talk with them too, but she couldn't risk it. She couldn't risk the fact that it was more than just a childish crush. That she might do something she would regret.

She buried her nose in her book on the five elements. It wasn't hard to let the background noise filter through her brain and zone out.

Her head snapped up as Ron and Ginny entered the study room. Ron was ranting on again in his endearing way that was so annoying.

"Ginny! What were you thinking?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about." She declared in a way that told Hermione that she did.

"Ginny! You were seen with Malfoy! Malfoy!"

Ginny glanced back at her brother. "And who told you that? No let me guess... Lavender Brown."

Ron flushed, answering Ginny's question. Ginny continued on. "I don't see how it's any of your business who I spend my time with."

"Ginny! I don't want people thinking you're some sort of a..."

This time Ginny turned fully to face him. "A what? A harlot? A Slytherin Slut? Get this straight. As long as I want to, I can associate myself with who ever I want."

Ron turned to Ly, beseeching her with his eyes. "Aren't you worried about her?"

Ly shrugged. "Not really. Gin can take care of herself. She fended off the local boys quite nicely in France."

Ron growled and stormed out of the room. Ginny grinned at Ly and charged after him, to further antagonize him.

Which left Hermione alone with Ly.

Hermione got up to replace her book and get a new one from the stack she had gotten from the library the other day. Ly rose and grabbed her arm.

"Do you feel it too?" She asked quietly.

Hermione refused to meet the taller girl's eyes. "I can't do this."

"I have to know. You have to know."

Hermione shook her head. "No! I don't! I can go on pretending for the rest of my life."

"No, you can't. I've been watching you these past few weeks. You have to know. Everything. You won't be satisfied until you know for sure that I'm not what you want."

Hermione strongly disliked her then. She hated her because she knew so much about her, more than she herself knew. And she disliked her because she was right.

Ly let her go. "Run away. If you think you can get far enough. If not... one kiss."

Hermione looked up and met the green eyes. She knew. She knew it wouldn't be just one kiss. One kiss would never be enough.

Ginny was her best friend. How could she do this to her? But Hermione found her hands bracing gently against Ly's shoulders. She couldn't do this to Ginny. If Hermione was right then she'd break her best friend's heart. But she found herself going to tip toes.

Ginny wouldn't ever forgive her.

Hermione let her lips meet Ly's. It was every thing Hermione had ever read about. A tingling warm sensation in her stomach, fluttering up to her chest and finally flushing her cheeks with life.

She was in love. And the feeling was mutual.

(A/N: Kinda leaves you breathless doesn't it? I love it! any way, on with the chapter)

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Draco shoved his hands into his pockets and waltzed down the hall. Ginny Weasley was spending more time with him lately. As planned, he had strategically made sure Lavender Brown would see them playing Dare You on their brooms earlier. He was pleasantly surprised that Weasley had shown up so quickly. Even more so when Ginny argued with her brother.

Draco passed an open door, absently glancing inside the room as he went.

Draco froze three steps later as what he had seen sunk in.

He back tracked.

Hermione Granger and Lysandra Snape were kissing.

Draco stared open mouthed at them for a few minutes. This would change things.

(A/N: Whoo! hoped you liked it! I might get killed for this. So if there's no update on monday, you know why!

To fuujin no mai - Sticks and stones love. She's my character. Just cause you're jealous she's actually turning into a three dimensional one Doesn't mean you have to take out your insecurities on me.