Title: Reprieve
Author: monitorscreen
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Hermione/Lavender
Rating: PG13
Word count: 343
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the creation of J.K. Rowling, not mine.
Summary: The harsh reality would still be there in the morning; but tonight, let us leave the horror behind.
Author's notes: This started with a joke on the waking scene, and me saying that I would make it happen.

Reprieve

by monitor screen

-o-

The night after Dumbledore's death, girls' dormitory.

Hermione could not sleep. So many things had happened tonight, the impact of it all crushing onto her. It was almost absurd to think that they had argued on something as mundane as boys not believing girls to be clever just a scant few hours ago.

"Hermione? You still awake?"

The curtains around her bed were drawn back, a figure slipping halfway inside. It was dark, but by the blurry outline... "Lavender?"

"I... Sorry to disturb you, Hermione. I just... can't sleep. It's hard to believe..."

Hermione sighed, reaching out an arm to guide the other girl all the way under her covers. "Yah, me too."

Lavender snuggled closer, nose grazing her clavicle. "Can I... Just tonight?" Her skin tickled at the warm breath coming along the words.

Hermione did not know what overcame her at the moment, only that it felt right to cup Lavender's cheek and kiss her. Lavender kissed back. Hands roamed, pressing against smooth skin, pushing clothing aside, and touching where no one else had. There was more than a little desperation in their sucks and licks and strokes, drowning out the horror of reality with this temporary intimacy.

They slept curled around each other.

----------

Hermione woke when someone shifted beside her. Who would... A hand brushed her brow, and she opened her eyes. Oh.

"Good morning." Lavender greeted her with a tiny smile, moving to untangle her hair from the bra that had somehow ended up there.

Hermione blushed, but could not help to smile a little as well. "... Thanks. 'Morning to you too."

They moved apart and dressed in silence. As they were about to walk down to the common room, Lavender stopped her. "Um... The way I was to you, you know... before... I'm sorry."

Hermione nodded. "I understand." She gave Lavender's hand a brief squeeze before going down to meet Ron and Harry.

Horrible things had happened, and life would be harder from now on. But, hearing footsteps behind her, Hermione mused, not all was lost yet.

-o-