Hermione tried to keep herself busy from the moment Bella got on that plane to Germany. She knew it was going to be a very long two weeks. The months they were seperated because of school were hard enough on her but now that they were a couple and in love, this distance made it even harder. Thankfully, she had her student teaching to keep her busy not to mention her own finals to prep for. Who was she kidding? She had been prepared for her finals for weeks but it never hurt to re-record all of her notes, endlessly. By the fourth night of reviewing her notes, the words bled together and she needed a distraction. Unfortunately her favorite distraction was in a different country. They had been Facetiming every night since Bella left but a disheartening message from her girlfriend told her that she'd be alone for the evening. Bella had gotten very busy over the past few days and wasn't going to make their regularly scheduled call. Hermione was a little more than disappointed but understood. It was just one missed call. Still, she sat in her office during her office hours waiting to see if any of her students came in for help with their final research papers. She got assigned to Professor Snape again and she swore the Dean still held a resentment towards her for Bella not renewing her contract with the school.
"She absolutely hates me," Hermione complained after coming home on the first day of classes. She told her girlfriend of the injustice of being assigned to her least favorite human for another semester.
"I can assure you that she doesn't hate you." Bella smiled at the naivety of her otherwise very smart girlfriend.
"How could you take her side in this? I even went to go complain about the assignment and her secretary told me she wasn't taking any appointments until further notice as I watched another student enter her office. Complete and total disrespect," she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Minerva doesn't hate you. In fact she rather enjoys your feisty nature. She told me all of this when I handed in my resignation. I don't think I am supposed to share these thoughts with you but fuck her, right?" Bella laughed, "she put you with Snape because you are the only student tough enough to handle him and to not back down." She saw Hermione open her mouth to begin her protest, "and it's been proven with the student's performances in the classes you've been assigned to. It's not a slight at you, pet, it's a testament to your capabilities. You should be proud of how professionally you can handle yourself."
Hermione managed a half smile, "so I should anticipate Snape next semester as well."
"I wouldn't not expect it at this point. Why break up a dynamic duo," she smirked. "You've got this, love. There is nobody better suited to help those students pass his class than you are. Honestly, if you wanted to pursue a teaching job after graduation it would suit you. Not that I'm trying to get rid of you from the museum. I love having you there. I'm just saying, you have many many talents and teaching is one of them."
"Oh?" Hermione took the opportunity and slid onto Bella's lap. "What are some of these other talents," she brought her lips to the other woman's ear, "Professor?"
"'No," Hermione scolded herself. Now was definitely not the time or place to engage in fantasies about her very sexy and capable girlfriend. "I mean," she tried reasoning with herself. It's not like any students were actually going to come for help. She could probably get away with being a little naughty at work. "No," she shook her head, resigning herself to her fate. "Not during office hours." Though, if her girlfriend was there she'd be more than willing to engage in inappropriate acts in her office seeing as how it wouldn't be the first time. "Such a bad influence," she tried cooling her blush when there was a knock at her door.
"I'm here. Tutor me," Ginny walked into her office, smirking at the color on Hermione's cheeks. "Thinking about your girlfriend, were you?"
"I have no idea what youre talking about and what do you need help with? I'm not your teacher this semester."
Ginny shrugged, sitting in one of the empty chairs across from her friend, "doesn't matter. You are the smartest person I know and I need at least a B on this paper to pass the class. If I fail anything else I'll be kicked off the football team."
"I suppose I could help for the right incentive."
"I'm not having sex with you," Ginny looked as unamused as she could muster. "I have a very serious girlfriend and I believe your girlfriend would murder and hide my body where nobody would ever locate me."
Hermione reached across the table and smacked her friend, "there are other repayments besides orgasms. I was thinking about food and drink?"
"Oh yes. Dinner on me or whatever. Just help," she handed Hermione the research paper. "Please."
"A please… from Ginny Weasley? She must be serious. Let's see it then," she took the paper and started reviewing it, immediately grabbing for her red pen. "Ginny," she put the papers down. "This paper has nothing to do with history, art or museum studies. Why am I involved in your Shakespeare research paper?"
"Are you telling me you haven't read King Lear?"
"I have. Of course I have. I've also seen the Amazon original version of it. Are you telling me you haven't watched it?"
Ginny shook her head no, "should I have?"
"Florence Pugh is in it. Of course you should've seen it. What kind of lesbian are you? We have a certain set of principles to uphold." She rolled her eyes, turning her monitor so Ginny could see. She clicked on the trailer for King Lear and watched Ginny watch Florence. "She's a goddess in any role, isn't she?"
Ginny nodded, "she's a gift to the community. Should we pack up this paper, go to my place and watch the movie? I'll order us food."
Hermione laughed while turning off her computer, passing the paper back across to her friend, "deal but let's go to my place instead. Bella is out of town as you know and she has the most amazing entertainment system. Seriously, it's like a movie theater in the basement. You can stay over if you want."
"Perfect. Luna already went home for break so it's just me at the apartment until I leave this weekend. It's quiet without her."
"I know the feeling." She still had about thirty minutes of her office hours left but abandoned her post in order to have a gay Florence induced evening with her best friend. It's also a good way to get her mind off of her girlfriend. "The Jeep is in the employee parking lot. Do you need to stop by your apartment? You could borrow some of my things."
"She's letting you drive her jeep?" Hermione nodded trying to contain her smile. "She must really love you."
"I'm a very safe driver. I've never been in any accidents."
"You just drive like an old granny. Let me drive," Ginny smirked when they got to the car.
"Absolutely not. I think if you wrecked Bella's Jeep I'd have no girlfriend nor a place to live. Buckle up."
Ginny slid into the passenger seat, "you are such a mom.
"That's your one free Florence quote. After this, any quote uttered is met with the usual punishment. A shot."
Ginny laughed, "game on. You'll be way drunker."
"Tomorrow we can sort out your paper. Tonight, drinks and fun."
"Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, "seat belt."
Ginny mumbled something but eventually put the seat belt on and nodded, "the drinks aren't going to drink themselves."
Three hours and many many shots later, Hermione was draping a blanket over Ginny who fell asleep on one of the recliners down in the theater. She kissed her on the forehead, turning out the lights before retreating up the stairs towards the master bedroom. "I think I had one too many shots," she stumbled her way to the bathroom to get ready for bed before making her way into the bedroom. She finally made it into her side of the bed after what seemed like hours. She called her girlfriend only grumbling slightly when it went to voicemail, "Hello Bella. Too bad you can't talk. It's very early o'clock in the morning and I've had many, many, many drinks. I've drank everything. Florence didn't help. Ginny is here. She wanted to drive. I told her no. We were working on her paper. Does this make sense? She's sleeping in the theater. Something about King Lear. Anyway… I'm very drunk and before Ginny interrupted me I was thinking about that time in the study when I rode your fingers. Remember how wet I got? I completely drenched your trousers. I'm even wetter now. Can you believe that? All my toys are charging. I miss you. Did I say that? Okay I'm rambling. I need to go to bed. Did you find your present yet? Side pocket of your luggage. I love you." She immediately hung up and threw her phone on the bedside table. Sleep came quickly for the brunette as she snuggled against Bella's pillow that still faintly smelled of her.
Bella was not having a stellar trip to Germany. She used to love going out of town to pick up the pieces for the exhibits. Something changed on her last trip to Italy with Hermione. She officially ruined all business trips for her. She couldn't think properly without Hermione by her side because the majority of her thoughts went to all of the things they could be doing together instead of her wandering the museums alone. Sure FaceTiming every night was nice but that only went so far. Bella was missing her girlfriend, badly. The fourth night in Germany she had told Hermione that she couldn't FaceTime with her which was only partly true. If she was being completely honest, it was getting harder and harder to see her face through the telephone screen every night. She finished up at Deutsches Museum in Munich spending two full days there without a break in order to hopefully move on to Berlin and end her trip a few days early. The sooner she could get back to Hermione the better. She could've FaceTimed her that night but she was exhausted. Bella woke up the next morning ready to embark on her six hour drive from Munich to Berlin. She saw she had a missed call from Hermione at 1 something in the morning London time and the voice message was just over two minutes long. It was peculiar to say the very least. "She sounds very drunk," Bella laughed to herself listening to the message. Her eyes widened when Hermione started talking about their sexual encounters and her sex toys. "Fuck I wish I was there," she groaned biting her lower lip. "A present?" She never got out of bed so fast. Her bags were already packed and by the door so all she had to do was take a quick shower and leave but fuck it. "What did she get me?" She finished listening to the voicemail and threw her phone onto the bed. Quickly she emptied the contents of her side pockets and her eyes widened. There was a little wrapped dark green box complete with a silky black ribbon. "Vixon," she thought, chuckling as she removed the package. Bella felt her curiosity mount as she walked the package back over to the bed. She removed the ribbon and took off the lid. "Interesting," she pulled out an old phone. It had a note on it that read: play the slideshow while listening to the audio message. It's the only thing on the phone. Enjoy, beautiful.
There was a pair of earphones as well as a magic wand. Her cheeks turned pink. The sex toy shouldn't make her blush and Bella was no stranger to self pleasure but she usually engaged in acoustic methods of masturbating. She didn't often venture into the realm of sex toys unless she was using them on a partner or they used them together. She was curious enough to play along, "let's see what you have for me here." She put the earphones in, made sure the magic wand was within reach and turned on the phone. There were two folders. She opened up the audio message first and pushed play, hello Bella. The voice of Hermione played through her ears. I hope you are having a good time. I wish I was there with you. We could experience Germany in a whole new way. I thought maybe after a few days of FaceTiming you'd want to try something new. Bella heard her girlfriend's breathing hitch. "She's touching herself," Bella groaned, feeling a new rush of wetness between her thighs. I hope you are just waking up. I know you only wear a shirt to bed, no panties. I also know you don't usually partake in electronics, at least not for solo play but humor me. Bella rolled her eyes, listening to the breathy voice of her girlfriend ringing through her ears. She would be a little put off by the overly dominant nature of this gift but Bella was more than turned on so she wasn't feeling adverse at the moment.
"What's the album?" She thought right as her next set of instructions came through. I went ahead and made a photo album for you, my love. Taking these pictures for you left me in such a state. She heard Hermione moan and it caused a gasp to escape her own throat. Go on. Open the album. Bella's eyes widened. Hermione must have snuck off and had a professional boudoir photography session at some point in the recent past. She looked ethereal and so sexy. The photographer did a brilliant job of capturing her in the sexist poses in lingerie Bella had never seen before. "Fuck pet," she groaned as her hand started to toy with her nipples over her shirt. I bet you've started on your nipples. You love when I tease your nipples. First with my fingers then with my tongue. Bella had never thought her girlfriend to be the dirty talking type of girl but this was a pleasant surprise. The fact that Hermione was working herself up while trying to get Bella there was causing a flood between her legs. "Fuck yes," she let her hand wander south. I wish I was there to lap up the wetness that I'm certain has gathered between your legs. Flip to the third picture. A groan, "oh gods," Bella started circling her clit with her free hand. The picture showed Hermione tied to the bed spread eagle. She was clearly worked up during the shoot as Bella could see a dark patch on the lingerie. I would start with slow circles around your clit. I know how much you love that. You always did prefer to fuck me hard and fast the way I like it but you. You like when I fuck you nice and slow. Bella heard a loud moan coming from her girlfriend. Fuck Bella I couldn't wait anymore. I'm two fingers deep inside my pussy. Tell me you are wet for me. "I'm so wet for you," Bella answered without a second thought. When you get home, I'll be your good girl and let you fuck me however you want. Whatever you want. I'll be at your complete mercy. Just turn on the vibrator. Put down the phone and enter yourself with your other hand. Listen to me come apart just thinking about you touching yourself to the sound of my voice. Bella tossed the phone to the bed, bringing the toy to her clit. She turned it on a low setting and easily slid two fingers into herself. "Fuck me. I haven't been this worked up in ages." She listened to the sounds of Hermione fucking herself through her earphones as she neared the edge herself. I'm getting close, Bella. Are you getting close for me? An indecent groan came out of the older woman as her fingers rubbed against the rough patch along her front wall. She pictured Hermione between her legs licking her pussy nice and slowly as she held onto her head. Fuck Bella. My fingers are so deep inside of me. I'm picturing you above me with your strap deep inside of me, stroking me hard and fast. Bella sped up her pace, "I'm cumming," she chanted over and over again listening to the obscene wet noises she could hear as Hermione fingered herself ultimately screaming Bella's name as she tumbled over the edge. Bella followed her into the abyss, rutting against the magic wand, riding out her aftershocks. Thank you, Bella. That was unexpectedly amazing. I love you. "Love you too," Bella panted as she tossed the magic wand onto the bed next to her. "Fuck me," Bella sat up on her elbows and looked into the mirror. She looked like she had been fucked six ways from Sunday and wasn't complaining one bit. "That's one way to start the morning," she chuckled. She didn't know her girlfriend had that in her. "I need to get her a gift. Many gifts." She fell back against the bed. Looking at the time on her phone, "there's plenty of time." She concluded before restarting the audio file for another go.
The light coming through the window felt like daggers piercing Hermione's head, "oh no," she knew she was going to be sick. She shot out of the bed, directly to the toilet where she promptly emptied the contents of her stomach. "I'm never drinking with Ginny again," she groaned as she flushed her sick down the toilet. Hermione quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth, trying desperately to feel like a normal human being. She grabbed a couple of aspirin and washed them down with a full glass of water. She felt her stomach rolling so she also took a couple of motion sickness pills. "Breakfast. I need something greasy." She walked back over and grabbed her phone checking her messages. There was a text from Bella.
Bella(8:47am): loved the present. You are a naughty naughty girl. I listened to it twice. Haven't cum that hard in awhile. Thank you. ;) Call me tonight for a repeat performance? I'll be available after 9 your time.
Included with the message was a picture of Bella looking completely wrecked. Hermione had to hold back the feelings of want that rushed through her. She needed coffee and bacon first. Then she could appropriately respond. She threw a hoodie over her tank top and sleep shorts, making her way into the kitchen. She started the French coffee press and popped some bread into the toaster oven. "Either never let me drink again or we can never watch another Florence movie together," Ginny groaned coming up from the basement theater.
"I pick no drinking. No Florence is a crime against lesbians." She handed Ginny a couple of aspirin she brought with her from the bathroom.
Ginny laughed, "so true. What did you get up to after you tucked me in like a child?"
"I went upstairs, apparently called Bella and then passed out."
Ginny thanked Hermione for the aspirin and the coffee. She took a sip not waiting for it to cool at all, "did she like the pictures?"
"I wouldn't say she hated it," Hermione slid her phone over with the text up for Ginny to read.
"Damn. How is Professor Black sexy even in a text message?" She laughed.
"I'm just lucky I guess." She quickly made up a small breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and preserves. It was enough to help push the hangovers aside so Hermione could suffer through her last class with Snape this afternoon before finals next week. When the last piece of food had been eaten she cleared the table, "okay let's take a look at your essay. I have a few hours until my personal hell begins."
"He truly is the worst," Ginny grimaced. "Here," she walked back with her papers in hand. "I think I got some more ideas last night before the alcohol hit."
"Okay let's go through what you already have and then come up with ideas to add to it. Sound good?"
Ginny smirked, "does it do things for Bella when you pull out your teacher's voice?"
Hermione reached across the table, hitting Ginny with her papers, "do you want help or not?"
"I'll be good. Swear it."
Bella made the slightly over 6 hour drive from Munich to Berlin in record time. She only had to stop once for the bathroom and something to drink. She wanted to get there as quickly as possible even though the museum wasn't expecting her until tomorrow. Museum Island housed three famous landmarks and she figured she could get the rest of what she needed between the three locations. She had meetings lined up the next three days and had hoped to be able to wrap things up shortly after that. She wanted this two week trip to be no more than 10 days. She was more than anxious to get back home to her girlfriend. The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin was as good a hotel as any. 5 stars and work was paying so Bella really had no complaints. Though, if she had been traveling with Hermione she would've put more effort into finding the perfect hotel with the best view of the city like she had in Italy. This was truly a business trip. She had only booked the junior suite this time as she had nobody to impress but it did have a rather picturesque view of the city from the balcony. She snapped a quick picture and sent it to Hermione. The text accompanying the picture read wish you were here with a sad face emoji. Then she took a picture of herself in front of the full length mirror. She was wearing leggings and one of Hermione's hoodies that she had taken for her car ride. Her hair was piled up on top of her head but she knew Hermione would still appreciate her effort. She peeked her head out from behind her phone to wink at the camera and sent that picture off as well.
Bella (7:45pm): hope Snape wasn't too much of an asshole today. I could always kill him and hide the body if you need me to. I know people. Call me later. Love you.
She threw her phone on the bed when there was a knock at the door. The bellman had brought her luggage up. She thanked him for his service and tipped him, "Vielen Dank. Gute Nacht." She waited until he left, locking the door behind him. "Okay. I just need to find something with pockets," she unzipped her suitcase and found the first pair of jeans. She shed her comfy leggings replacing them with her black jeans. She paired it with a white tank top and black blazer suit jacket. "Enough pockets for now," she put her wallet and phone in her jeans and her room key into her jacket pocket. She had plans to visit the shops near the hotel to find something to bring back for Hermione. She knew there were a bunch of top of the line designer stores nearby but she knew that wouldn't be her girlfriend's first pick. Leaving the hotel she took a quick right turn, walking the familiar pathway to a small used second hand/antique jewelry shop. Now this was Hermione's style. She walked in with the bell ringing behind her.
An older lady came out from the back and greeted her, "Willkommen. Gibt es etwas Besonderes, bei dem ich Ihnen helfen kann?"
"Hallo. Ich suche nur etwas für meine Freundin. Sprechen Sie Englisch?"
"Yes," the older woman smiled. "Yes, enough. She must be special?"
Bella's smile lit up her face, "the most special person in the world to me. I'm just going to look around."
"Are you looking for… what's the word? Engagement ring?"
Bella stopped in her tracks. "An engagement ring?" She had honestly not even thought about that. Of course she wanted to marry Hermione and her sisters were on her about it before she left but she still felt it was too soon with Hermione just finishing school. It probably wasn't the right time to be shopping for such a ring but it never hurt to look. "Ja. Ein Verlobungsring, aber auch nur etwas, das ich von meinen Reisen mitbringen kann."
The older woman motioned for Bella to come over, "these are the engagement rings we have." She pulled out the display. "I'll leave them here for you to look at. We also have antiques upstairs. Many very old books up there if that's of interest."
"It seems you know my girlfriend, personally. The books are definitely of interest."
The older woman smiled, "I'll be in the back for a moment if you want to go upstairs first."
Bella nodded and took off up the stairs. What was happening? She had only meant to find something small and now she was shopping for antique books and looking for engagement rings from a very nice old German lady. She had a quick look around upstairs and found a very old copy of Hansel and Gretel. It was written in German but she knew Hermione would love it. She also found a copy of The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales. This one was not in German but it also looked very old. Hermione would be happy with both books. She made a mental note to bring her girlfriend here one day. She would be leaving a poor woman but it would be worth it to see the smile on the brunette's face. "I guess it's time to go look at those rings," she took a moment to breathe. It doesn't hurt to look. They could all be horrendously ugly rings anyway. "The chances of finding the dream ring is next to nothing," she reasoned with herself as she walked back downstairs with her books. The old lady was back and she had talented the selection of engagement rings over to a small table for Bella. She was sitting there waiting for her to join her. "I found a couple of books that I'd like to get."
"I'm Ada," the old woman held out her hand when Bella took a seat at the table. "I didn't properly introduce myself. I've owned this shop with my husband for the past 40 years. He passed away this past March. I haven't had the heart to let his business go."
"I'm Bella," she shook her hand. "These books are for my girlfriend, Hermione." She gave a shy smile before turning her attention to the rings. She scanned the rings quickly, noting the size and clarity of the diamonds. She knew Hermione wouldn't want anything over the top because that wasn't her style. "I don't know what I'm looking for. She would love any of these but I know if I asked her to she would say yes to marrying me with paper rings."
Ada chuckled, "it can be quite daunting trying to find the perfect ring. Lass die Ringe zu dir sprechen. Paper rings? Seems like you found a different kind of diamond."
Bella knew she found her special someone in Hermione. That girl completed her in a way she didn't know she needed. She scanned the rings again, slowly this time. She hadn't expected to find anything but on her third pass something caught her eye. "May I?" She asked, pointing to a ring.
Ada grabbed the ring in question and handed it to Bella. As she described the ring her speech went back and forth from English to German when she couldn't find the right words to convey it in full English, "this is The Jolie ring. It is an authentic vintage engagement ring from the Art Deco era circa 1930's. The ring features a .99 carat old European cut diamond. As you can see here the diamond is flanked by 14 natural Burma sapphires and 14 single cut diamond accents. We've had this ring for quite some time. It's not often someone comes in with an eye for sapphires. Often associated with royalty, sapphires mean loyalty, purity, trust, focus, and honesty."
"This ring is gorgeous," Bella slipped it on her ringer knowing she and Hermione had relatively similar finger sizes. They had shared a lot of jewelry since the younger woman moved into her cottage.
"It's a beautiful choice."
"I'm almost afraid to ask," she looked from the ring to Ada. "How much?" The older woman took the little price card from where the ring was sitting and handed it to Bella. The ring cost way more than Bella had ever thought she'd pay for an engagement ring. "8,950? I mean I can see why it's priced that high. It's a gorgeous ring but I don't think I can make this big of a purchase right now." She looked disappointed when she handed the ring back to Ada.
Bella grabbed her books and was standing up when the older woman spoke up, "this ring has been sitting here for ages waiting for someone to come in and look at it like you did." She took out a pen and scratched out the price and wrote another on the card and handed it back to Bella. "For the ring and those two books."
The price was definitely lower. Almost laughingly so and she felt as if she was taking advantage of the older woman, "surely this is a joke."
"Nein. Ich möchte, dass du es hast. Das ist der Ring. Ich kann es in deinen Augen sehen."
Bella's lips curved into a small smile, "I'll take it."
"Wunderbar!" Ada grabbed the ring and the books. She hurried behind the counter and set the ring in a fancy box and wrapped the books up in a package for Bella. She paid with a credit card and thanked Ada for the amazing deal. "Versprich mir, dass du deine Frau eines Tages hierher bringen wirst, damit ich sie treffen kann."
Bella grabbed her packages, "I will and thank you again. This means so much to me." She walked out of the shop holding an engagement ring in her possession. "What the fuck just happened in there?"