Je t'adore

"Siria, wait."

She stopped dead in the dormitory hall and slowly turned. As the familiar figure of Johann came into view, her stony expression softened a little and a flicker of a grin appeared.

"What do you want?"

"Just to apologise. I'm sorry for yelling at you. And I just found out, it wasn't even your fault. It was Jurgen who spilled the juice on my jacket, and the stain will come out anyway. Forgive me? Please?"

A full blown, dimpled smile split Siria's face.

"Of course."

As soon as she uttered the words, his face lit up, the tense lines caused their fight gone in a flash. He reached down and slid his arms around her waist. Gently laying a kiss on her waiting lips he murmured, "I don't think this is allowed on the corridor. Come on to my room."

Siria gave a small noise of assent, and felt for his hand. She entwined her small fingers around his, her bright eyes mirroring his, alight with teenage lust. She gave a slight wink, and strained up to his ear.

"I have a bottle of your favourite in my bag."

"Ah mein liebchen, what would I do without you to lead me off the straight and narrow?"

"You would be boring, sexually repressed and very much alone. Now - what are you waiting for?"

And with that, she walked him off, leading the way, down the dusky passage towards her room.

"Oh, Mione, don't cry. Please? I'm sure she won't tell anyone"

"She will...oh God why did I have to give out to her? They weren't...making that much noise... I'm ruined..."

Her sentences were interspersed with sobs and hiccoughs. No matter what Ginny tried nothing she did helped stem the flow of tears. Feeling useless, she just held onto Hermione, hoping something of her own calm would pass to her. Ginny knew how much school success meant to her, and how many problems a revelation like this would cause. Katie and Alicia had come out last year. It, through one way or another, had destroyed many of their friendships, and almost had them thrown off the Gryffindor team by the flimsy excuse that their game play was disintegrating as they were distracting each other. Only by appealing to Professor Dumbledore were their places saved. Even after all this time, they were still ridiculed. Mostly by the Slytherins, but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw joined in when they were feeling particularly vindictive, especially after Quidditch defeats. Anger began to surge up in Ginny.

Why does this school have to be so bloody homophobic? Look at her, devastated at the mere thought of being dragged out of the closet. God... I love you so much...please don't let this affect our relationship...I love you, I love you...nothing can change how I feel. I know you love me. Why all the fuss then...just because we're both female? I love YOU, no one else could take your place, nothing could fill the gap you'd leave, my life... would be pointless without you. I love you...

Hot, salty tears began to dribble down Ginny's face. She couldn't imagine life with Hermione beside her. Even when she tried to think about it, all that came to mind was a swirling darkness, making her feel faint. She held on, hoping she'd never have to let go.

The backs of Siria's knees touched off the edge of Johann's bed. Her hands were resting lightly on his shoulders. All she could taste was the acrid sweet taste of peach vodka, and the smell of the fruit filtered through her whole head, making her feel slightly dizzy. She opened her eyes and glanced at the bottle. To her surprise it was empty. Two people sharing a litre meant how much each? But after contemplating the question for a few seconds, her mind filled with the here and now and she fell backwards onto the duvet.

Hermione's tears had finally subsided. She was slouched on the couch, her face set in a mask of sadness. Her eyes were dry, but glazed over, and Ginny was getting scared at the desolate bleakness she could see there. The flash of life normally sparking in her pupils was gone.

"It's over. One tiny speech, one moment on my high horse and it's over. It's all gone."

"It's not. Look - no one will care what you are. Your school career is NOT over. You'll be OK. You have me. You'll always have me. I won't let you go."

"Thanks Gin, but a few empty positive words will not help. You are just spouting what you think you should. And how do you know we'll always be together? Maybe this Siria thing is a sign that this isn't the best way to go..."

A stunned Ginny leapt up abruptly. The months of happiness they had shared forgotten, for a few moments at least.

"Well I'm sorry for trying to put a little perspective into this situation. It is NOT my fault you are overreacting to this. That Siria one probably won't even tell anyone, and YOU are already acting like your life is over. I'm only trying to help, but seemingly I'm not good enough. Goodnight Hermione. And the next time you want someone to stand beside you, to be a shoulder to cry on, to be there for you, don't you even DARE look my way. My God, and I actually believed what we had was love...I thought I was completely head over heels..."

Ginny turned, trying to hide the building flood of tears from Hermione.

"Gin..."

"Don't talk to me. I'm going to bed. You can sit here and wallow in your imaginary unhappiness."

She ran, hoping Hermione hadn't noticed the hitch in her voice and the thin dribble burning down her cheeks.

"I love you."

"I love you too..."

They giggled a little, together in a bubble of warmth, a world of their own. Johann leant in, about to kiss her when a cough interrupted.

"I knocked, but you didn't hear. I can see why now. I want you both to put on clothes. I shall be outside the door, and you'd both better be out in 2 minutes."

A few minutes later, the two shamefaced teenagers made their way out of the room.

Professor McGonagall was standing there, arms crossed, expression set.

"I realise that you've only been here less than a week, but I'm sure this kind of coercing between students is also banned in der Hans Griebeg Gymnasium der Magie," she quipped in surprisingly good German.

"Yes it is Professor."

"And, if my sense of smell isn't deceiving me, you both reek of alcohol. You couldn't possibly have being consuming inebriating substances whilst on school property?"

She didn't need to ask. Their flushed faces, and the fact they were slightly swaying, along with the stench had made her question more of an obvious statement.

"Because you are guests, I'm going to be a little more lenient than I would normally be, and leave your punishments in the hands of the Gryffindor prefect."

Fred and George came galloping up the stairs, unaware of the waiting Professor. As she came into view, they slowed to an almost stop and walked sedately towards their rooms, grinning at Siria and Johann's misfortune.

"Mr. Weasley, could you possibly help this girl back to her dorm. I don't think she can make it by herself. What are your names, so I can make sure you report to Ms. Granger in the morning? Yes, I do realise it is a Saturday morning."

"Ms. Granger? Lesbische Schlampe Hermione Granger? Why her? She's not..."

"That is quite enough. Ms. Granger is one of our most outstanding students. What is your name?"

"Siria," she mumbled, annoyed at herself at getting in trouble with a teacher.

"Siria what?"

"Siria Nebatz."

"And this young man?"

"I'm Johann Schuster."

"George? You take Siria, and Fred, make sure Johann gets into bed without knocking himself out on the dresser."

"Okay Professor," the twins sniggered in unison.

George stretched Siria's arm around his neck and he held onto her waist as she stumbled off down the stairs. Professor McGonagall stared after them, still surprised at the girl's outburst. She would have expected more from an intelligent student. She swept off, deep in thought about today's youth, and telling herself off for letting Siria off so easily.

I'm too nice for my own good sometimes.