(no subject)
Title: The Beach House
Author: Edmonds
Pairing: Luna/Hermione
Rating: PG-13
Notes: Written for the chocolate challenge, about fifty-five minutes too late. Hope this contains enough chocolate to count. ;)
Hermione still don't know exactly why Luna had invited her to the beach house. Nor did she know what had prompted her to agree to such an... unusual offer. It wasn't as if she was being asked to go away for the weekend with her best friend. She hardly knew Luna as it was. But did anyone, really?
She had spent ages packing, trying to decide which of her dresses to wear. Scavenging the contents of her closet with the ferocity of a vulture, Hermione had finally picked out her favorite - a yellow one with large, white flowers. She never realized how foolish it was to bring such a dress along as she would never get a chance to wear it, what with the bitter cold of the beach Luna had in mind.
They left late Friday afternoon, after classes were over for the week. Hermione clambered onto the broom behind Luna, a little nervous because she had never gotten over her first bad experience with brooms. Just before they took off Hermione wrapped her arms around Luna waist. Leaning forward far enough that her book bag containing the yellow dress fitted snuggly between their bodies, Hermione pulled the wispy blonde hair away from Luna's ear.
"Hope you don't mind," she whispered.
"I don't," said Luna. How much she didn't mind was missed entirely by Hermione.
As they flew through the air both girls were grateful for the warm bodies of each other. The wind was cold and Hermione pressed harder against her book bag which had slid down to rest uncomfortably on her hips now. Her hair was whipped around by the wind and the brown curls intermingling with Luna's blonde locks provoked a strange reaction in Hermione. She both shivered and felt warm at the same time, despite the wind.
Nervous for an entirely different reason than earlier, Hermione gently rested her head on Luna's shoulder and gazed longingly at the sun setting just beyond a group of purple mountains. The sky seem alive with color. It looked as if someone had spilled plum wine across a rose-colored tablecloth.
While she was busy thinking of this analogy, Hermione was completely oblivious to the fact that Luna's gaze had shifted to the ground. Below them and about five hundred yards off was the beach house. It looked more like a rackety shack about to topple over than any real house, but at least it was considerably removed from the general public.
Luna took that moment, when Hermione was not looking, to lower the broom in such a sudden and gut-jerking swoop that she caused Hermione to squeak in fright. Feeling Hermione's hands tighten around her body, Luna smiled.
"Sorry," she called back against the loud howling of the wind.
Hermione was afraid that if she spoke she might betray the tremble in her voice at the nearness of Luna's body, or the fact that the swoop had secretly thrilled her. The feeling of her heart in her throat combined with the sickly sweet perfume of Luna's body was making her light-headed. Hermione didn't trust herself to speak, at least coherently, and she sure as hell didn't trust herself not to betray her feelings.
They landed at last and Hermione stumbled as she dismounted. Luna caught her arm and helped her up. Hermione tried not to shiver against the cold night air, but Luna could guess that there goosebumps decorating her forearms. She had never known anyone to dress so inappropriately for the cold beach, but then, she had never brought anyone here before.
"Here," she said, offering Hermione a blanket that she pulled out of her own book bag.
Hermione took it, accidentally brushing her fingers against Luna's. She blushed softly, but in the dying light she wasn't sure if Luna noticed or not.
"Come on," said Luna, grabbing Hermione by the hand and leading her towards the leaning beach house. Hermione eyed it warily, but followed Luna - partially because she wanted to, but mostly because her mind was so deliriously happy that it didn't want to think about any other possibility.
Hermione was surprised to find that, upon entering the beach house, the inside was quite different than she was expecting. There was a portrait of some lady on the wall (no one Hermione recognized) and a small red rug next to the bottom of the stairs. Luna had obviously tried to make the beach house look a little more welcoming. It made Hermione relax a little to see the signs of house keeping. At least if the shack was about to collapse she wouldn't die among what resembled a pile of dry, awkwardly-cut lumber.
Following Luna into the kitchen, Hermione's attention was immediately drawn to the blonde standing next to the burner. The red-hot glow of the metal beneath the tea kettle illuminated her face, casting eerie shadows about her soft cheeks. Hermione felt tempted to reach out and touch her face, but Luna lifted her head and greeted Hermione with her dancing grey eyes before she could do anything.
"I'm making hot chocolate. Can you get the cups down from the top shelf over there?" she asked, pointing across the small kitchen.
"Sure," said Hermione. She walked to the cabinet that Luna had pointed out and opened it, coughing slightly as the cloud of dust she had disturbed settled once more on the cups. Choking, Hermione managed to ask, "Come here often?"
"Not so much lately," answered Luna. "I've been busy with schoolwork. But when I did manage to come, I never stayed long. It's depressing out here alone, with only my thoughts."
Hermione wanted to ask her what she thought about when she came here alone, but she was afraid that the answer would strike too close to home for comfort. Finding a dish cloth in one of the drawers beneath the cabinet, Hermione wiped the dust off two mugs and set them on the counter next to Luna. Waiting impatiently for the pot of water to boil, Hermione leaned on the counter and stared at it.
"The say that a watched pot never boils," said Luna.
"Do you really think that's true?" asked Hermione, skeptically and raising an eyebrow as she glanced up at Luna's mysterious face lost in the dark of the kitchen.
Luna didn't have to answer. At that moment the pot began to whistle loudly, causing Hermione's eyes to widen in surprise. Lifting it off the burner, Luna turned the heat off and filled the cups to the brim.
"Don't we add chocolate powder now?" asked Hermione, clearly confused as to why Luna had skipped what seemed like such an important skip.
Smiling, Luna shook her head. She reached into her bag and pulled out a bar of chocolate wrapped in shiny aluminum foil. "This is even better."
"A chocolate bar?" asked Hermione.
As if to answer her question, Luna broke off a square and slipped it into her mouth. She sucked on it to soften the rough edges, quite aware that Hermione was watching her with more than normal curiosity. Sliding up against Hermione, Luna reached up and caressed her face. Luna, encouraged by Hermione's lack of objection, gingerly kissed the brunette on her lips. Hermione ran her tongue along her suddenly very dry lips and tasted the faint trace of chocolate.
Hermione would have been wondering why she hadn't objected to the kiss, except that her brain had shut down a while ago. Although she was normally ruled by logic, Hermione had given herself over to instinct and desire, at least temporarily, and it was this feeling... this want that allowed her to accept Luna's advances.
The next kiss was deeper. Hermione allowed Luna to slide her tongue inside her mouth. She definitely tasted of the chocolate now, Hermione thought, eyelids sliding shut as her limbs moved to encircle Luna's warm body. The feeling growing in her stomach reminded Hermione of bread rising too quickly and she couldn't help but enjoy the unusual sensation.
When Luna slid the piece of chocolate into Hermione's mouth with a push of her tongue, Hermione, caught off guard, did the clumsiest thing possible and choked. Luna pulled her head back quickly and looked at Hermione concerned.
"Are you okay?" she asked, worry glossing over her words as she spoke abnormally short of breath.
Hermione nodded and coughed, sending the offending chocolate onto the floor. Something about the sight of the nearly round chunk of chocolate on the floor struck Luna as being funny and she laughed. Cheeks flushed from embarrassment, although she had been quite pink-cheeked before the accident, Hermione was happy that she hadn't ruined Luna's opinion of her. Sinking to the floor in relief, she was quickly joined by Luna. The two girls leaned on each other's shoulders and giggled quietly to themselves in the dark of the beach house.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said softly, after she had recovered enough to talk normally.
"Don't be," said Luna.
There was a momentary pause as Hermione contemplated this. "I still feel bad about the whole thing."
"There's plenty more chocolate," reassured Luna, kissing Hermione on the lips. "And plenty more opportunities to kiss you, I'm sure."
Hermione closed her eyes happily and enjoyed the feeling of Luna's warm breath tickling her lips. Breathing deeply, she could still smell the lingering scent of chocolate in Luna's breath. The thought of their chocolate kisses from earlier made her feel strangely warm inside all over again.
"Luna?" asked Hermione.
"Yes?" responded Luna, sleepily.
"Thanks for bringing me here."
"You're we... welcome," yawned Luna. Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, she curled up next to Hermione and tugged on a corner of the blanket until there was enough to cover both of them. "Good night," she murmured in Hermione's ear, before she drifted off.
"Good night," echoed Hermione, still wide awake. Everything that had happened that night had left her feeling confused and with so much to think about. It would be dawn before she finally managed to fall asleep and only then from pure exhaustion.
Author: Edmonds
Pairing: Luna/Hermione
Rating: PG-13
Notes: Written for the chocolate challenge, about fifty-five minutes too late. Hope this contains enough chocolate to count. ;)
Hermione still don't know exactly why Luna had invited her to the beach house. Nor did she know what had prompted her to agree to such an... unusual offer. It wasn't as if she was being asked to go away for the weekend with her best friend. She hardly knew Luna as it was. But did anyone, really?
She had spent ages packing, trying to decide which of her dresses to wear. Scavenging the contents of her closet with the ferocity of a vulture, Hermione had finally picked out her favorite - a yellow one with large, white flowers. She never realized how foolish it was to bring such a dress along as she would never get a chance to wear it, what with the bitter cold of the beach Luna had in mind.
They left late Friday afternoon, after classes were over for the week. Hermione clambered onto the broom behind Luna, a little nervous because she had never gotten over her first bad experience with brooms. Just before they took off Hermione wrapped her arms around Luna waist. Leaning forward far enough that her book bag containing the yellow dress fitted snuggly between their bodies, Hermione pulled the wispy blonde hair away from Luna's ear.
"Hope you don't mind," she whispered.
"I don't," said Luna. How much she didn't mind was missed entirely by Hermione.
As they flew through the air both girls were grateful for the warm bodies of each other. The wind was cold and Hermione pressed harder against her book bag which had slid down to rest uncomfortably on her hips now. Her hair was whipped around by the wind and the brown curls intermingling with Luna's blonde locks provoked a strange reaction in Hermione. She both shivered and felt warm at the same time, despite the wind.
Nervous for an entirely different reason than earlier, Hermione gently rested her head on Luna's shoulder and gazed longingly at the sun setting just beyond a group of purple mountains. The sky seem alive with color. It looked as if someone had spilled plum wine across a rose-colored tablecloth.
While she was busy thinking of this analogy, Hermione was completely oblivious to the fact that Luna's gaze had shifted to the ground. Below them and about five hundred yards off was the beach house. It looked more like a rackety shack about to topple over than any real house, but at least it was considerably removed from the general public.
Luna took that moment, when Hermione was not looking, to lower the broom in such a sudden and gut-jerking swoop that she caused Hermione to squeak in fright. Feeling Hermione's hands tighten around her body, Luna smiled.
"Sorry," she called back against the loud howling of the wind.
Hermione was afraid that if she spoke she might betray the tremble in her voice at the nearness of Luna's body, or the fact that the swoop had secretly thrilled her. The feeling of her heart in her throat combined with the sickly sweet perfume of Luna's body was making her light-headed. Hermione didn't trust herself to speak, at least coherently, and she sure as hell didn't trust herself not to betray her feelings.
They landed at last and Hermione stumbled as she dismounted. Luna caught her arm and helped her up. Hermione tried not to shiver against the cold night air, but Luna could guess that there goosebumps decorating her forearms. She had never known anyone to dress so inappropriately for the cold beach, but then, she had never brought anyone here before.
"Here," she said, offering Hermione a blanket that she pulled out of her own book bag.
Hermione took it, accidentally brushing her fingers against Luna's. She blushed softly, but in the dying light she wasn't sure if Luna noticed or not.
"Come on," said Luna, grabbing Hermione by the hand and leading her towards the leaning beach house. Hermione eyed it warily, but followed Luna - partially because she wanted to, but mostly because her mind was so deliriously happy that it didn't want to think about any other possibility.
Hermione was surprised to find that, upon entering the beach house, the inside was quite different than she was expecting. There was a portrait of some lady on the wall (no one Hermione recognized) and a small red rug next to the bottom of the stairs. Luna had obviously tried to make the beach house look a little more welcoming. It made Hermione relax a little to see the signs of house keeping. At least if the shack was about to collapse she wouldn't die among what resembled a pile of dry, awkwardly-cut lumber.
Following Luna into the kitchen, Hermione's attention was immediately drawn to the blonde standing next to the burner. The red-hot glow of the metal beneath the tea kettle illuminated her face, casting eerie shadows about her soft cheeks. Hermione felt tempted to reach out and touch her face, but Luna lifted her head and greeted Hermione with her dancing grey eyes before she could do anything.
"I'm making hot chocolate. Can you get the cups down from the top shelf over there?" she asked, pointing across the small kitchen.
"Sure," said Hermione. She walked to the cabinet that Luna had pointed out and opened it, coughing slightly as the cloud of dust she had disturbed settled once more on the cups. Choking, Hermione managed to ask, "Come here often?"
"Not so much lately," answered Luna. "I've been busy with schoolwork. But when I did manage to come, I never stayed long. It's depressing out here alone, with only my thoughts."
Hermione wanted to ask her what she thought about when she came here alone, but she was afraid that the answer would strike too close to home for comfort. Finding a dish cloth in one of the drawers beneath the cabinet, Hermione wiped the dust off two mugs and set them on the counter next to Luna. Waiting impatiently for the pot of water to boil, Hermione leaned on the counter and stared at it.
"The say that a watched pot never boils," said Luna.
"Do you really think that's true?" asked Hermione, skeptically and raising an eyebrow as she glanced up at Luna's mysterious face lost in the dark of the kitchen.
Luna didn't have to answer. At that moment the pot began to whistle loudly, causing Hermione's eyes to widen in surprise. Lifting it off the burner, Luna turned the heat off and filled the cups to the brim.
"Don't we add chocolate powder now?" asked Hermione, clearly confused as to why Luna had skipped what seemed like such an important skip.
Smiling, Luna shook her head. She reached into her bag and pulled out a bar of chocolate wrapped in shiny aluminum foil. "This is even better."
"A chocolate bar?" asked Hermione.
As if to answer her question, Luna broke off a square and slipped it into her mouth. She sucked on it to soften the rough edges, quite aware that Hermione was watching her with more than normal curiosity. Sliding up against Hermione, Luna reached up and caressed her face. Luna, encouraged by Hermione's lack of objection, gingerly kissed the brunette on her lips. Hermione ran her tongue along her suddenly very dry lips and tasted the faint trace of chocolate.
Hermione would have been wondering why she hadn't objected to the kiss, except that her brain had shut down a while ago. Although she was normally ruled by logic, Hermione had given herself over to instinct and desire, at least temporarily, and it was this feeling... this want that allowed her to accept Luna's advances.
The next kiss was deeper. Hermione allowed Luna to slide her tongue inside her mouth. She definitely tasted of the chocolate now, Hermione thought, eyelids sliding shut as her limbs moved to encircle Luna's warm body. The feeling growing in her stomach reminded Hermione of bread rising too quickly and she couldn't help but enjoy the unusual sensation.
When Luna slid the piece of chocolate into Hermione's mouth with a push of her tongue, Hermione, caught off guard, did the clumsiest thing possible and choked. Luna pulled her head back quickly and looked at Hermione concerned.
"Are you okay?" she asked, worry glossing over her words as she spoke abnormally short of breath.
Hermione nodded and coughed, sending the offending chocolate onto the floor. Something about the sight of the nearly round chunk of chocolate on the floor struck Luna as being funny and she laughed. Cheeks flushed from embarrassment, although she had been quite pink-cheeked before the accident, Hermione was happy that she hadn't ruined Luna's opinion of her. Sinking to the floor in relief, she was quickly joined by Luna. The two girls leaned on each other's shoulders and giggled quietly to themselves in the dark of the beach house.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said softly, after she had recovered enough to talk normally.
"Don't be," said Luna.
There was a momentary pause as Hermione contemplated this. "I still feel bad about the whole thing."
"There's plenty more chocolate," reassured Luna, kissing Hermione on the lips. "And plenty more opportunities to kiss you, I'm sure."
Hermione closed her eyes happily and enjoyed the feeling of Luna's warm breath tickling her lips. Breathing deeply, she could still smell the lingering scent of chocolate in Luna's breath. The thought of their chocolate kisses from earlier made her feel strangely warm inside all over again.
"Luna?" asked Hermione.
"Yes?" responded Luna, sleepily.
"Thanks for bringing me here."
"You're we... welcome," yawned Luna. Unable to keep her eyes open any longer, she curled up next to Hermione and tugged on a corner of the blanket until there was enough to cover both of them. "Good night," she murmured in Hermione's ear, before she drifted off.
"Good night," echoed Hermione, still wide awake. Everything that had happened that night had left her feeling confused and with so much to think about. It would be dawn before she finally managed to fall asleep and only then from pure exhaustion.