A Delicate Balance

A/N: I don't own Harry Potter, just in case you had any doubts.

Dried leaves and pine needles crunched under Hermione's feet. The wind whispered in the trees and the birds sang a song of sunset. The shadows were lengthening but the sky would not grow dark for a while yet. Hermione hummed to herself, inventing the tune as she went along. This part of the forest was not so frightening. The trees were younger and fresher, and the sky peeked through the leaves. She and Ginny had always liked coming here. It was one of their favourite places to meet.

The blue canopy bed was a combined effort sprung from both practicality and girlish fantasies. It gave them a feeling of luxury, and at the same time the velvet hangings kept them safe from changes in the weather – and from uninvited guests, both animal and human. And centaur. Although the centaurs were generally more accepting than humans.

When Hermione reached their little hideaway she saw that the Disillusionment Charm had been removed and Ginny was sprawled across the bed with a quill in her mouth and a roll of parchment spread out before her. She had removed her tie and sweater and they hung lazily on the headboard. Her little pink toes curled as she studied her homework closer. Hermione smiled. She was so cute. Ginny looked up as she approached and smiled back.

“What are you working on?” Hermione asked, sitting down and swinging her feet up onto the mattress.

“Divination,” Ginny said. “Now don't look at me like that,” she said, seeing Hermione roll her eyes. “I happen to think it's very... interesting.”

“Why don't you just make up some rubbish and turn it in?” Hermione suggested, tucking her feet under her skirt. “That always worked for Harry and Ron.”

Ginny shook her head, her eyes still trained on the parchment. “That won't work. I have Firenze, not Trelawney.” She sighed. “Born in Libra, with Scorpio rising...” she muttered to herself.

“Like I said, rubbish,” Hermione muttered. Ginny slapped her good-naturedly on the wrist.

“Just give me another minute.” Ginny stared intently at her homework for a moment, then shook her head and sat up, stowing the parchment in her bag, which lay at the end of the bed. “I give up,” she said.

“Really, Ginny, I don't see why you can't take up a more practical subject, like Arithmancy or Ancient Runes. I actually found Muggle Studies quite interesting for the year-”

But Ginny silenced the lecture with a kiss. Their soft lips pressed together gently, electricity sparkling from the contact. Hermione opened to let Ginny's tongue slip inside, gently tickling the roof of her mouth for just a moment before Ginny pulled away. “You talk too much, 'Mione,” she said coyly. Hermione didn't try to hide her disappointment as Ginny turned back to her bag, putting away the rest of her homework.

“So,” Hermione said, her lips shining wetly from the kiss. “What do you want to do?” Sometimes they kissed, and sometimes they did more. Sometimes they were so tired from the week that they just curled up together and went to sleep. Today Hermione was hoping they could do a bit more than just kiss. She squirmed slightly while she waited for Ginny to reply.

“Well,” Ginny said, turning around. She seemed oddly shy, and Hermione thought it looked as if she were hiding something behind her back. “I thought that maybe today we could try something... new.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow, grinning. She lay back on the sapphire-blue pillows. “What did you have in mind?”

Ginny looked rather sheepish and a slight blush coloured her cheeks. “Well, I got this in Hogsmeade last weekend, and I thought maybe we could... try it out.”

“What is it?” Hermione asked suspiciously. She couldn't decide if she liked where this was going or not. Ginny grinned playfully and giggled. Hermione laughed. “God, you're cute. Now what is it?”

Ginny tried to suppress another excited giggle as she slowly drew the object from behind her back.

“Jesus Christ, Ginny,” Hermione said, laughing nervously. Ginny had produced a rather formidable-looking plastic phallus from behind her back. “How'd you get that thing without Harry noticing?”

“I got it while he was in Zonko's,” Ginny said. “You know he spends forever in there.”

Hermione nodded, not taking her eyes off of the thing in Ginny's hands. It was pale yellow and had ridges on it that went almost all the way along its length. It actually looked like it would feel rather... good. Hermione squirmed. “The people at that store didn't honestly think you were seventeen, did they?”

Ginny shrugged. “They didn't say anything.” She scooted closer. “So, what do you say? Please?” She looked at Hermione hopefully.

Hermione raised her eyebrow again, trying to look nonchalant. She knew Ginny could see right through her – she always could – but it didn't matter. “Convince me.”

Ginny leaned forward and pressed her lips against Hermione's, draping her arms around the other girl's neck. Hermione's hands quickly found Ginny's hips and pulled the redhead down on top of her.

“Mmmm,” Ginny said, breaking the kiss again too soon for Hermione's liking. She put her head on Hermione's shoulder. “I wish we could do this more often.”

Hermione nodded, inhaling the scent of Ginny's hair. She smelled like roses and sandalwood. “I know.”

“Why can't we, then?” Ginny murmured, brushing her lips down Hermione's neck. “More than every other week.”

Hermione closed her eyes. She'd like to. God, she'd like to. “What would we do if somebody found out?”

Ginny was silent. Her fingers stroked Hermione's neck while her lips nibbled the tender earlobe. Hermione's hand ran delicately up and down Ginny's back. Finally Ginny spoke.

“I think Harry wants to have sex with me.”

“Of course he does,” Hermione said, but her insides went cold.

“But what if he says something? Or does something? What should I tell him?”

“What do you want to tell him?” Hermione pushed Ginny up a bit so she could look her in the eye.

“No,” Ginny said earnestly, gazing into Hermione's earthy brown eyes.

“Then say you're not ready.”

Ginny sighed. “And what about Ron?”

Hermione chuckled. “It's Harry he wants, not me. He's just too thick to figure it out.”

Ginny tilted her head questioningly. “But still, what will you do if he tries something?”

“I'll tell him I'm a dyke and he's a big fairy, so go suck Harry's dick already.”

Ginny grinned and lowered her lips to Hermione's neck again. “I was so angry when he kissed you this morning,” she mumbled.

Hermione smiled. “Were you?”

“Oh, yeah.” Hermione could feel Ginny's lips moving against her neck as she spoke. “I wanted to get up and slap you both.”

“I'm glad you didn't,” Hermione said quietly, smiling to herself. She moved her hand down to Ginny's thigh and let it run up under her skirt, slowly stroking the soft skin there. Her other arm wrapped around the smaller girl's waist, pulling her closer. Ginny's right hand was working its way under Hermione's blouse and sweater. She moaned as the hand kneaded her breast. “Oh, Ginny,” she whispered.

Ginny pulled away yet again and Hermione made a frustrated noise in her throat. She wondered if Ginny could feel how badly she wanted her right now. “Are you convinced yet?” Ginny teased, sitting up on her knees and slowly unbuttoning her white blouse until her round, perky breasts just peeked out.

Hermione could feel her breathing catch as Ginny ran a finger down her own cleavage. “I'm convinced,” she said breathlessly. With a flick of her wand the curtains jerked shut, letting only the dimmest light shine through. With another wave of her wand she ignited the several white candles fixed to the head of the bed. Ginny's eyes were deep and alluring in the flickering orange light. Hermione was so turned on that she was almost aching, but she wanted to make Ginny cum first. In a show of mischievous dominance she grabbed the petite redhead by the arm and threw her down onto the pillows, a smile playing around her lips. She'd show the little flirt who was boss.

Ginny giggled as Hermione dove in to kiss her, putting a hand at the back of her head to keep her from breaking away again. Ginny gladly submitted for the moment, but Hermione had a feeling she'd be getting her revenge later. But for now – Ginny's uniform was a nuisance.

“Diffindo,” Hermione said. Ginny gasped in surprise as her clothes all fell open, exposing her from head to toe. Hermione stretched out on top of her again, catching Ginny's complaint with her lips. Clothes could be mended later. They slowly moved their lips and tongues together as Ginny pulled her arms free from the remains of her blouse and bra. Hermione slowly ground her inamorata down into the deep blue blanket and Ginny moaned from the sensation of the rough wool rubbing her naked body. After what felt like an eternity Hermione sat up, looking around for Ginny's new toy. She didn't notice that Ginny's fingers had wrapped around her wand.

“Evanesco!”

Hermione's jaw dropped indignantly as her clothes were suddenly Vanished. She cast a scolding eye on Ginny, who tried to suppress a look of extreme self-satisfaction.

“Couldn't let you have all the fun,” Ginny shrugged.

Hermione advanced on her very slowly. “You are a bad girl, Miss Weasley,” she said, loving every second of this.

“I guess you'll have to punish me, then,” Ginny said. Now she was the one who was breathless. Hermione grabbed her wrists and pulled her arms up over her head. She didn't tie her down, but Ginny understood the rules and she would play by them – for now, anyway.

Ginny writhed in pleasure as the blade of Hermione's tongue lashed its rough way across her nipple. “Oh, please, Hermione,” she moaned. But Hermione took her dear, sweet time. Ginny was always the one teasing, playing games. Well, it was time for her to get a taste of her own medicine. Hermione sucked and licked Ginny's left nipple while her hand pinched the other one. Ginny gasped and shuddered, and Hermione could feel the wetness between her partner's thighs. She pulled her head back and blew cool air across the wet nipple, loving the reactions she elicited. She pinched the other nipple a little harder as her other hand skittered across the oh-so-ticklish skin just above the patch of red pubic hair. Ginny let out an incredibly erotic sound that was something between a giggle and a scream. “Please,” she panted.

But Ginny was not begging yet, and Hermione wouldn't give her what she wanted until she did. She continued to torture Ginny's breasts with her mouth and allowed the hand that had been tickling her to drop further, bypassing her wet womanhood and moving down instead to her inner thigh. Ginny threw her head back, moaning. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, Hermione moved her head down away from Ginny's swollen bust, licking zig-zags across her pale skin. When she reached the juncture of Ginny's legs, she blew lightly on the slick folds, making Ginny shiver. With the tip of one finger, she lightly traced the outline of Ginny's opening, and when she neared the hood of the clitoris she stopped and traced in the other direction. Ginny squealed in frustration but didn't move her hands. It was just as well – if she had Hermione might have been forced to tie her up. Not that that was necessarily a bad thing. While her fingers continued to tease Ginny's slit, her other hand found the rubber phallus and brushed it up against her inner thigh.

“If only Harry and Ron could see us now,” Hermione said conversationally, ignoring Ginny's needy sounds. She took her hand away and instead used the head of their plastic third to torment Ginny's entrance. She was now straddling the smaller girl, and her idle hand tickled its way back up Ginny's body to stroke her perfect breasts. “Harry'd probably want to join in,” Hermione continued, “don't you think?” Ginny's breath was too shattered for her to form a response. “And maybe Ron would finally figure out that he doesn't like snatch.”

“Hermione,” Ginny finally managed to choke out. Hermione finally let the tip of the dildo rub against Ginny's clit and she almost screamed.

“Were you going to say something?” Hermione asked innocently, looking down at Ginny's heaving body.

“Hermione, please,” Ginny said.

Hermione smiled as her hands continued their ministrations. She loved to see Ginny this way, when cuteness and giggles melted into pure sexuality. She loved knowing that she was the only one in the world who had ever seen Ginny lose herself so completely, who had ever been so close to her. “Please what?”

“Please fuck me!” Ginny sobbed. Poor thing. Hermione took pity on her and finally pushed the dildo inside of her. Ginny's eyes rolled back in ecstasy as Hermione's hand guided it in and out of her most intimate place. Hermione could already feel Ginny's vaginal muscles starting to clench down, preparing for her orgasm.

Hermione was surprised when she suddenly felt Ginny's fingers rubbing against her clit. She moaned and pumped the dildo faster. Ginny always knew exactly what to do – and Hermione was so turned on she could already feel herself getting close. She kept up the rhythm, not realizing that Ginny had already climaxed. Ginny had cum twice by the time she managed to stop Hermione's hand.

Hermione's pussy was throbbing when she felt the dildo pushing its way inside her. She moaned and fell onto all fours, allowing Ginny access to her full, round breasts. She felt Ginny's mouth on her nipple and succumbed to the sensation with a scream as the phallus rubbed a spot deep down, that place that Ginny's fingers and tongue could never quite reach. A few more strokes brought Hermione to her climax and she collapsed, quivering, as her arms gave way.

They lay still for a few moments, arms and legs in a confused tangle. Ginny eventually brought her arms up and wrapped them around Hermione's waist, nuzzling her affectionately. At long last, she spoke.

“I think that was probably the most evil, amazing thing you have ever done to me,” she said. She craned her head back to look Hermione in the eye. “Please promise never to do it again.”

Hermione smiled. “I promise.” That sort of thing was only fun once. Ginny's ear was close to her mouth and she nibbled it gently. Ginny hooked an arm around her neck.

“I missed you,” Ginny said quietly. “I missed being with you.”

Hermione nodded, her lips caressing the shell of Ginny's ear. After another moment she scooted off of Ginny and put her arms around her.

“Think it's time to go back to our fake boyfriends?” Ginny asked half-heartedly.

“Probably,” Hermione said, with the same reluctance.

They didn't move.

“Ginny,” Hermione said after another minute or so.

“What?”

“Do you love me?”

Ginny was caught off-guard.

“Well, do you?”

“Yeah,” Ginny said after a pause. She buried her head in Hermione's hair. “Yeah, I do.” She didn't want to think that it would be another two weeks before they would be together again.

“Stupid question,” Hermione said carefully, “ but... do you, I mean...”

“What?”

“Would you be my girlfriend?”

“I am your girlfriend.”

“I know, but...” she sat up a little.

“You mean your out-in-public girlfriend.”

Hermione was silent.

Ginny looked distressed. “Don't forget what happened to Katie and Alicia.”

Images of blood and Bludger bats exploded in Hermione's mind.

“You're right,” she said. “Forget I said anything. It's okay.”

“No, it's not okay,” Ginny said, settling back into the pillows. “I love you and I never see you.” Her voice cracked and she bit her lip. She blinked furiously, and Hermione saw that her eyes were red.

“Hey,” she murmured, petting Ginny's hair. “Shh.” Ginny turned her face away. Hermione sighed and lay back down, staring up at the blue canopy above them. She sighed. “We could do this more often. Call it a girl's night, maybe?” Ginny didn't reply, so she moved closer, speaking into the back of Ginny's neck. “Unless you think Harry would catch on.”

Ginny giggled, shaking her head. “He's a little slow on the uptake.”

Hermione smiled, trying to suppress her laughter. “He still hasn't noticed that Ron's absolutely gagging for him.”

“Poor Ron,” Ginny smiled. “Harry's slow, but he won't learn at all.” She snickered and then sighed. “It's never enough,” she said, changing the subject back. “There's never enough time.”

“I know,” Hermione said, burying her head in Ginny's shoulder. “We have to find the balance.” Ginny nodded. Hermione slipped her arms around the other girl's waist and pulled her closer, so that her breasts pressed into Ginny's back.

“Maybe once a week?” Ginny suggested, shifting.

“We could do that.” Hermione's hand traveled upwards to cup one of Ginny's breasts, her thumb flicking absently over the nipple. Ginny squirmed. “Next Tuesday?”

“It's supposed to rain on Tuesday.”

“We could go to the Room of Requirement. We haven't been there in a while.”

“Mm.” Ginny was quiet for a moment. Hermione could feel her nipple getting hard under her touch. “I always liked the Room of Requirement. Why'd we stop using it?”

“Because Katie and Alicia were always there.”

“That's right.”

“Poor Katie.”

“Poor Alicia.”

“Mm-hm.”

Ginny squirmed again. “Hermione,” she began.

“What?”

Hermione could hear the grin in Ginny's voice. “You've got me all hot and bothered.”

“Oh?” Hermione smiled.

“So finish what you started, for Merlin's sake!” Ginny complained. A pause. Then - “Oh. Oh, yes.”

Hermione's other hand had lazily found its way to the swollen bundle of nerves between her legs and began to rub insistently with a single finger. Ginny squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip, grinding against Hermione's hand. Hermione sprinkled kisses on her neck and shoulders.

It wasn't long before Ginny started gasping her instructions. “Lower,” she said. “Faster.” Hermione complied. To the left a little. Faster. Lower again. “That's it, right there,” she shuddered. Hermione could feel the tension building through Ginny's whole body as her climax neared. Suddenly, Hermione lifted most of the pressure and quickened the pace at the same time. The abrupt change in the sensation brought Ginny to a powerful orgasm and she bit down heavily on her lower lip to keep from screaming.

For a long time Ginny didn't seem to want to breathe. Hermione wondered if breathing deadened the sensation. She had never paid attention.

“I am going to be so sore tomorrow,” Ginny said blankly.

Hermione hugged her close and rocked her gently. “Me too.”

“Oh, hi, Harry,” Ginny said jokingly. “No, nothing's wrong, it's just that Hermione shagged me senseless last night.”

“Hi, Harry. Could you do me a huge favor and fuck my boyfriend, please? Thanks so much.” They laughed, and Hermione felt herself getting sleepy. “God, I love you,” she said, almost as an afterthought.

Quiet.

“We should go back,” Ginny said reluctantly. “Somebody's bound to notice we're gone.”

Hermione groaned, but Ginny was right. Besides, she had homework to do.

For once she wasn't in the mood to do homework. But she sat up anyway. “Right,” she said. “Now where did you Vanish my clothes to?”

Ginny covered her eyes with her hand, laughing. “I have no idea.” She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest with a flirty grin. “Fix mine for me and I'll share them with you.” She batted her eyelashes prettily.

There was nothing for it. Hermione had no choice but to throw her down and snog her silly.


Fin.