Chapter 17

Hermione POV

"Why, 'ello 'Ermione." Hermione didn't look up. She knew just by the smug tone who had sat down beside her at the Gryffindor table. She watched as the Great Hall cleared out after the selection of the Triwizard Tournament Champions, then acknowledged the voice.

"Juliette."

"Fancy seeing you 'ere." Hermione could hear the playful sarcasm in the girl's voice. She looked up at the Juliette, aiming to send her a look of disapproval, but was thrown off as she took in the girl's appearance. Juliette was of course wearing the becoming uniform that the rest of the Beauxbatons girls were wearing, decked out in all light blue, but up close, Juliette was absolutely stunning. Hermione struggled to regain her breath, but as she steadied herself, she managed to speak.

"You knew you would see me again, didn't you?"

"Yes," Juliette smiled. "Once Little Ginny mentioned zat you attended 'Ogwarts, I was confident zat I would see you again. Speaking of our Little Ginny…" the girl nodded over to where Ginny and her friends had just exited the Great Hall, "I see she 'as taken to 'er… Revelation… Quite nicely." Hermione felt her heartrate increase a bit and her throat tighten. "Tell me… 'oo is zat girl she is with?"

"She's a girl in Ginny's year. She's nice, they have a lot in common. They've been together nearly seven weeks now," Hermione stated, matter-of-factly, trying not to show any emotion. Juliette leaned forward to whisper in Hermione's ear.

"Mmm… I would 'ave figured zat she would 'ave wanted to be with you... Or does she not know 'ow you feel about 'er, 'Ermione?

- CRASH -

Hermione had knocked her books to the floor at both the shock of Juliette's statement and the girl being so close to her. Those nearby looked around to see where the commotion had come from, then went back to their own conversations. Hermione bent down to pick up what she'd knocked to the floor, but froze as she saw her books floating up past her face and landing behind her, where they originally sat on the table. She looked up, and saw a wand in Juliette's hand. She got up abruptly, grabbed her books, and hurried out of the Great Hall. She was halfway to the library when she felt a strong, slender arm grab her from behind and guide her into the nearest side corridor.

"'Ermione you did not 'ave to leave, I – " Juliette stopped when she saw tears in the brunette's eyes.

"What?" Hermione cried out, a tinge of anger flowing through as she furiously tried to stop the tears from coming in front of Juliette.

"I did not mean to upset you, I just – "

"You just what? You're right, you know? I do have feelings for Ginny. But it doesn't matter, because even if I was willing to allow those feelings to be known, she's with Demelza! And even if she did want me back…" Hermione paused, considering the illogicality of that big "if". "Even if she did want me, it would never work."

"And why is zat? Why would it not work?" Juliette pushed gently.

"It just… Wouldn't. It'd be risking too much, too many relationships, too much history between me and her family."

"So, what do you plan to do about zis zen? You are content to just do nozing about your feelings?" Juliette asked, slowly closing the gap between herself and Hermione.

"Yes… I'm going to forget about the feelings I have for her, and eventually I'm sure they'll just go away. She's with someone else, it can only be a matter of time before they're gone for good." Hermione stated as firmly as she could, her voice wavering slightly.

"Mmmm."

"What?! What now?!" Hermione snapped at the girl. Juliette swiftly, yet gently, pushed Hermione up against the stone wall of the corridor, placing one hand on the wall beside her face, and leaned forward into the girl's ear, guaranteeing that no one would be able to hear her but Hermione.

"Would you like to 'ave some assistance in forgetting zose feelings?" Juliette whispered seductively. Hermione turned her head slightly so they were face to face, and looked into Juliette's sparkling hazel eyes.

"Wha – What..?" Hermione stammered, quietly. "Are you suggesting that…"

"'Ermione, why would I not want to be with a beautiful girl such as yourself? I can 'elp you forget 'er, if you want… If you would prefer, you can continue trying to unsuccessfully rid yourself of your feelings for ze girl as you 'ave been… It is up to you, but know zat I will be 'ere for you… Waiting… And very willing…" Juliette let her last words linger in the air for just a moment, her lips so dangerously close to Hermione's they were nearly touching. Hermione's eyes flickered from Juliette's eyes down to her lips, then back up to her eyes. Then, with a small, yet noticeable, upturn of the corner of her mouth, Juliette backed away from Hermione, turned, and took a few steps down the corridor.

Hermione didn't let her get far, however, as she grabbed Juliette by the wrist and pulled her back towards her, crashing their lips together. Hermione put one arm around Juliette's waist, pulling the girl close to her, and put her other hand at the base of Juliette's head, tangling her fingers in the girl's long, silky, dark hair. Juliette took a second to react, but then intensified the kiss a bit, slowly walking the two of them back against the stone wall of the corridor, again guiding Hermione to lean against it gently, yet firmly. They kissed passionately for a few more moments before Juliette broke the kiss, pulling her face back from Hermione's slightly. Hermione looked at Juliette and saw for the first time what she'd considered to be a genuine smile from the girl. It was almost curious, but at the same time, undeniably genuine. Juliette's eyes seemed to be searching Hermione's for the okay to kiss her again, and Hermione blushed faintly, but gave a quick small nod of approval. Juliette leaned in to kiss Hermione, and this time, it was soft and very gentle. Juliette pulled back again, and it seemed that again she was wordlessly asking Hermione's permission to continue. Hermione gave her a small, reassuring smile, and Juliette brought her hand up to Hermione's cheek to pull her face in to hers. As Juliette slowly began to deepen the kiss, Hermione reacted by pulling Juliette closer to her yet, feeling as if she couldn't possibly get enough contact with the girl.

"Hermione?"

Both girls froze and Hermione whipped her head over to where the voice had called out to her. Harry was standing at the entrance to the corridor awkwardly, looking as if he regretted interrupting the two. Juliette looked at Hermione, then stepped back swiftly, wiped the corner of her mouth with her thumb, and strode away from Hermione, nodding confidently at Harry as she passed him. She turned back and gave Hermione one last look before exiting the corridor. Harry watched the girl leave, but as soon as she was out of sight, turned back to focus on Hermione, giving her an amazed look. Hermione was still up against the corridor wall, breathing heavily, one hand touching her lips gently.

"Blimey Hermione… I didn't know you had it in you!" Harry declared with a tone of congratulations. With that, Hermione ran off into the first empty classroom she could, her bottom lip trembling and tears forming in her eyes. Harry followed after her, but stopped in the doorway when he found himself face to face with the tip of Hermione's wand. "Hermione I – "

"Don't!" Hermione's tears were freely flowing. "Harry, just… Don't…" Harry stepped towards Hermione, arms wide and hands up to show he came in peace. As Hermione lowered her wand, Harry took another step forward and wrapped her up in a hug. Hermione buried her head in his neck, sobbing.

"Hermione what's wrong?" Harry asked worryingly. "Why are you so upset?"

"I… Just… This is just all so complicated…" Hermione said as she cried.

"What's complicated about it? From what I saw, you were kissing and very much being kissed by a brilliantly beautiful girl." Harry said, approvingly.

"I know, but – "

"Does Ginny know? I'm sure she'd love knowing that you fancy girls too! Have you told her?" This made Hermione stop crying and look up into Harry's green eyes.

"No," Hermione stated flatly. "I haven't. And I'm not going to. Neither are you."

"What? Why not?"

"I just… I don't know what this is yet. And I want to keep it to myself for now. Can you please do that? Can you keep this secret for me?"

Harry shrugged, "Sure Hermione. I just don't see why you couldn't at least tell Ginny that you fancy women. You don't have to tell her about… Juliette…" Harry looked as if his mind was wandering away from the empty classroom and back to the alluring French witch he just saw snogging his best friend.

"Hey!" Hermione gave Harry a light slap on the arm.

"What?"

"Please… Just focus. Harry, please don't tell anyone anything."

"Alright Hermione. I promise I won't. So… Are you okay?"

"Yes… I am. Thank you, Harry."

"Can I ask you something then?"

"Of course."

"How was it?" Harry asked, a grin starting to form on his face, widening at Hermione's shocked reaction.

"Harry!"

"What? She's well fit Hermione!"

Hermione blushed at this, "Yes… I suppose she is…"

"You suppose she is?" Harry raised his eyebrows at her. "These Beauxbatons girls… I can't wait to see how Ron navigates them now that he's with Lavender," Harry laughed. "So really, you're sure you're alright?"

"Yes Harry, I am. Really, thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm going to head up to the common room, hopefully in time for a game of Exploding Snap. Want to join?"

"I think I'm going to stay here for a bit longer. I'm fine, really. I just want some time to think is all."

"Okay… I'll see you up there?" Harry asked, hesitantly.

"Yes, I'll see you in a bit."

And with that, Harry left the abandoned classroom. Hermione walked over to the window and pressed her forehead against it, closing her eyes to try and process what had just occurred. That was my first kiss… Was it always like that? That passionate? That… Comfortable as well? She had to admit, she was shocked at how Juliette was during that… Interaction… Juliette was undeniably "well fit" as Harry so delicately put it, and it was very clear that Juliette was aware of how attractive she was as well. Her confidence had drawn Hermione in this evening, while over the summer it had more so repelled her… What had changed? And Juliette was different than she thought she would be during the kiss. She thought Juliette would've been more bold during the kiss, or maybe been a bit more about herself, just as she carried herself in public, but instead she was surprisingly considerate and… Gentle. Yes, it was a passion-filled kiss, but Juliette had stopped not once, but twice, to check in with Hermione. She had made sure that Hermione was okay, and Hermione believed that if she had wanted to stop, Juliette would've respected that. And that smile she gave her, it was a genuine, beautiful smile. Not the smile Hermione had seen her flash at everyone else, one that she undoubtedly used to get people to become enamored with her. She had given Hermione a smile that felt as if it was only meant for her…

Hermione stood idly in the classroom a bit longer, reflecting on what had happened this evening when doubt slowly started to set in. Suddenly, her senses came flooding back to her. You just snogged a girl that you barely know in the middle of a very public corridor. Anyone could've seen you. Luckily Harry had shown up before someone else had. All that risk to try and get over my crush on Ginny? This was not the logical thing to do, nor the responsible thing to do. I barely know Juliette… What was I thinking? Why did I do this? Hermione buried her head in her hands. What is wrong with me?