In the Fire

I walked quickly over to the fire where she was sitting. Feeling my robes swish around me, I tried to gain confidence, but the closer I moved towards her slouching figure, the more I trembled.

"Um, Hermione?" I spoke as though her name was a question. The three friends' heads, bent over their books, looked up, wondering why I was there.

"Can I have a word with you?" I paused as she tried to figure out what I was talking about, "In private?" She still didn't have a clue, I was sure, but she put down her book and shook her glorious hair out of her face.

"Sure, Ginny. Well, as long as it's quick. I need to finish my letter to Viktor." That damn Viktor, I thought, and saw Ron glaring as well. Some times we're related in too many ways.

Hermione followed me over to an empty corner of the room. Most of the Common Room was brightly lit, but this corner seemed much dimmer than the rest of the room. I was really nervous, but once I've resolved to do something I don't give in easily. I was going to tell her.

"Um, I've been thinking. This is going to sound really weird, I know, but... I wanted to tell you that I, well, like girls." I paused, waiting for her response. I knew Muggles were sometimes weird about people who weren't straight, so I wanted to see that she was open-minded about this before I continued.

"Uh, well, I'm glad you decided to tell me," she replied, looking concerned, "Is there any reason you, er, decided to tell me?" She seemed nervous too. Was this good or bad for me, I wondered.

"Well, see, I just wanted to make sure it would not, like, mess up our friendship... 'cause we share a room in the summer sometimes. I've heard Muggles can be, what's the word? Homofo? Homo...?"

"You mean homophobic? Yeah, some Muggles really are, but I don't think it's a big deal. I mean, I don't care about sharing a room and stuff. Some of my other friends are, um, gay." Now I was curious.

"Really? Who?" I supposed I was being childish, but I did want to know.

"Oh, Viktor." Krum's gay? Yes! She isn't taken! Shut up, Ginny, she still probably doesn't like me...

I tucked my hair behind my ear, an unconscious copying of her gesture. "Well, there's another reason I wanted to tell you this..." Hermione was trying to pay attention to me, but was subtly checking her watch. She wanted to get back to her letter and her work. I was bothering her. But I knew I'd never be satisfied if I didn't tell her how I felt right now.

"Hermione, see, I really don't want to ruin our friendship, but I...I have a crush on you." I spoke quickly, looking at the floor, feeling heat rising in my cheeks, "I like you. I just wanted you to know."

I looked up and she was looking at me like she was a little surprised that I was telling her this, but not really shocked. Her brown eyes met mine and I felt warmth envelop me.

"Well, I like you too, Ginny. Like that." She giggled slightly, and gave me a hug. I couldn't believe my luck. She liked me too! She liked me!

I hugged her tightly back, feeling her breasts against mine. As she started to let go, I moved my head and leaned into her lips. It was like stepping into the fire. And it was wonderful.