RAGE

***

Hermione giggled in defeat.

“Okay.” Hermione said. “So we were kissing.”

“Just kissing? You looked like you were about to go at it, right there and then.” Ginny said, smirking a little.

Hermione blushed. Luna just kept smiling gleefully.

“So!” Hermione said, defensively. “It’s the first time anything like this has happened between us.”

“How?” Luna asked. “I mean, how did you go from nothing to tongues down each others throats?”

Hermione tried to stop smiling.

“We were talking actually.” Hermione said. “I was in the library, in a world of my own. He came in and scared the shit out of me. Then we sort of got into a deep and meaningful and then next thing I knew, he was kissing me and I was kissing him back.”

Ginny and Luna were grinning at her.

“Well, I for one, approve.” Luna said. “He used to be a bastard, but no longer. So, I’m happy for you if you feel that you’d like to endeavour on a relationship with him.”

“Me too.” Ginny said, grinning at Luna’s phrases. “I don’t know if Ron and Harry will be too happy though.”

“Guys, as much as I appreciate it, I don’t even know what this is with Draco yet.” Hermione said, returning to the dishes. “It might be a one off, or it might not. I just… I don’t want to get my hopes up, to find that he doesn’t want anything to come of it.”

“I think he seemed pretty happy.” Ginny said, smirking. “The way he was looking at you all through dinner. Geez, I had to look away.”

“I thought I was picking up on some strange vibes at dinner.” Luna said, pointing a fork absentmindedly at Hermione. “Anyway, do you like him in that way? I mean you could just be fuck-buddies; you don’t have to be exclusive.”

“Luna!” Hermione said incredulously. She then lowered her voice. “Hermione Granger does not have fuck-buddies. I’m not a tart.”

“You don’t have to be.” Luna said. “As long as you don’t go around sleeping with everyone. It’s how Ron and I started out. And Merlin, he’s good in the sack, may I add.”

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, amazed at this new information and slightly grossed out.

“I don’t want to know about my brothers performances in the bedroom, thank you very much.” Ginny said, shaking her head.

“Fair enough, sorry Gin.” Luna said. “But I had to get it out. It’s not like I have that many girl-friends to speak about it to.”

Hermione smiled. She was glad that Luna and Ron had each other. And she was glad that Luna was happy.

“Anyway, back to the point.” Luna said, waving around a ladle. “Ron and I started out as fuck-buddies. He was still hung-up about the whole Ron-Lavender-Hermione-Viktor square and I was still hung up about this guy from my own house. So we started off, just… how do I put this?… taking care of our urges. Then we realised we were only in love with idea of the other people and actually cared a lot for each other. Good things can come of sex.”

“Or it can go pair-shaped.” Ginny said. “Sometimes, it just creates chaos.”

“Sometimes yes. But not if you’re responsible about it all.” Luna said. “Hermione would be.”

“Guys. Stop.” Hermione said, facing them and shaking her head. “I can’t believe we’re even discussing this.”

“Anyway, I think the original point Luna was trying to get at was; do you like him? Do want a relationship with him?” Ginny said, putting away a pile of plates.

Hermione didn’t answer. She turned around to the sink, trying to think.

“I haven’t really thought about it much.” She said. “I never really thought about him in that way until well after he joined the Order. Just your normal girl-thinks-guy-is-hot, but not much more.” Hermione said, thinking out loud. “Well, apart from the fact that he’s a bit of a genius and that he’s very intelligent, and quite cocky in a kind of sexy way. And then when we were in the Ministry, he made me feel so safe.”

She paused, thinking of all the things that Draco had done for her since.

“And he was so nice, so comforting.” Hermione said a little dreamily. “It feels like so much longer than a few days. Everything is moving so fast because we have to fight to survive, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it with out him.”

She looked out of the small window above the sink. The moon was rising and very bright. She then felt a guilt arise.

“But I feel more than safe around him. I feel sort of valued and, well… loved.” Hermione said. “I mean, I’ve started to feel things for him. But at the same time, I’m starting to feel guilty. I shouldn’t even be thinking about this, I should be grieving for my parents.”

She looked down, tears forming.

“You are though.” Ginny said. “You always will miss them and you will always grieve them. Harry still does, and he barely knew his parents. You shouldn’t feel guilty for trying to be happy. It’s what your mum and dad wanted for you.”

Hermione looked up at Ginny.

“Thanks, Gin.” She said giving her a hug.

Ginny wrapped her arms around Hermione’s shoulders and stroked her hair lightly.

“If he makes you happy; if he makes you feel good and giddy and loved, go for it.” Ginny said. “If you find someone you connect with, hold onto it.”

Hermione nodded. Luna put down the spoon she was drying and joined in for a group hug. A few minutes passed and Hermione managed to calm down and cheer up slightly.

“Well, I suppose I should finish these dishes and find out where I lie…” Hermione said quietly.

The girls giggled.

“On the bottom I reckon.” Luna said, cheekily.

“Luna!”

***

A/N - Sorry it's been a while. Life is chaos, as usual. But here they are, two new chapters. I'm hoping to have a few more by the weekend if all goes well. It is a bit WAFF but hey, it's what I'm feeling so that's what we're going to get. Haven't decided how far things will get between Draco and hermione in the next couple of chapters yet so any ideas or feelings you have, go for it!
As always, R&R.
x x InLoveWithLove