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Hermione Granger and the Potion of Perilous Pleasure Chapter 15 (A Hufflepuff's Heart)
🕑 Added 2025-01-28 21:57:47 +0000 UTCThe late afternoon sun streamed through the tall, arched windows of the Hogwarts library, bathing the shelves of books in a warm, golden glow. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, and the scent of parchment and ink was thick. Hermione Granger sat at a table near the center of the library, her books spread out before her like a fortress of knowledge. But for once, her focus was not on her studies.
Her gaze kept drifting, drawn by something—or rather, someone—sitting near one of the windows. Susan Bones.
Susan was hunched over a book, her quill moving across a sheet of parchment as she took notes. The sunlight spilled over her auburn hair, catching the rich copper tones hidden within the waves that framed her delicate features. Hermione couldn't help but notice how serene Susan looked, completely absorbed in her work. There was an elegance to her posture.
Hermione swallowed hard. Since the night that had changed her body and, apparently, her desires, she'd been more aware of the girls around her. She hadn't wanted to admit it at first, but the way her eyes lingered on Susan now—on the slope of her neck, the curve of her cheek, and the fullness of her lips—made it undeniable.
Her heart thudded nervously as she realized she'd been staring far too long. She shook her head, trying to refocus on the book in front of her, but the words swam uselessly on the page. What was Susan even reading? Hermione squinted, leaning slightly to the side to get a better look.
Magical Law and Its Applications in the Wizengamot.
Of course. Susan was an academic in her own right, as driven and sharp as she was beautiful. Her aunt, Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was one of the most respected witches in the Ministry. Susan clearly shared her aunt's intellect and discipline, and that only made her more appealing.
Stop being ridiculous, Hermione, she scolded herself. But her curiosity had already planted the seed of an idea.
Before she could lose her nerve, Hermione stood, smoothing her skirt with slightly clammy hands. She grabbed the nearest book off her table—completely forgetting it was a Potions manual she'd already read three times—and walked over to Susan, every step feeling like a monumental effort.
Susan didn't look up right away, her quill still scratching softly against the parchment. Hermione cleared her throat gently.
"Er, hi, Susan."
Susan glanced up, her amber-brown eyes warm and inviting, a small smile curving her lips. "Oh, hi, Hermione. What brings you over here?"
Her voice was soft but had a richness to it, like honey poured over warm tea. Hermione clutched the Potions book tighter, her knuckles whitening.
"Well, I, uh..." Hermione hesitated, her mind scrambling for an excuse. "I noticed you were reading about magical law, and I thought maybe you could help me with...um...a class assignment?"
Susan tilted her head slightly, her expression curious but amused. "A class assignment? On magical law?"
Hermione's face burned. Susan was no fool, clearly picking up on her awkwardness. But instead of pressing, Susan set her quill down and gestured to the chair across from her.
"Sure, take a seat," she said kindly.
Hermione sat, trying not to overthink the way her knees brushed against the edge of the table. Susan turned her book slightly so Hermione could see the chapter she was reading.
"I'm working on an essay about the way precedent is established in Wizengamot trials," Susan explained. "It's fascinating, really—so many of the rulings from a century ago still influence how cases are handled today. Did you know that—"
Hermione found herself mesmerized, not just by the topic but by the way Susan's lips moved as she spoke, the faint flush of color in her cheeks as her passion for the subject shone through. Susan was animated but composed, her intelligence shining through every word.
"—and that's why the case of Eldritch Diggory is still so relevant," Susan finished, leaning back slightly with a satisfied smile.
Hermione blinked, realizing she'd been staring again. "That's...really interesting," she said earnestly. "I had no idea you were so knowledgeable about this."
Susan shrugged modestly, though she looked pleased by the compliment. "It's in my blood, I suppose. My aunt's been teaching me about magical law since I was old enough to hold a quill."
"That makes sense," Hermione said, smiling. "You must make her so proud."
For the first time, Susan's composure faltered slightly, her expression softening. "I like to think so. She's done so much for me...and for the wizarding world, really. I just want to live up to her example."
The sincerity in Susan's voice tugged at something in Hermione's chest. She wanted to know more, to keep this conversation going, to spend more time with this girl who was quickly becoming far more than a passing curiosity.
"Listen," Hermione blurted before she could stop herself. "I don't know if you're busy later, but would you like to come to the Gryffindor common room? A few of us girls are just hanging out, and it might be nice to take a break from all this," she gestured vaguely at the books and parchment.
Susan blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly. "Oh, um...I don't usually go to Gryffindor Tower, except for that party we had. I wouldn't want to intrude..."
"You wouldn't be intruding at all!" Hermione said quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. "We'd love to have you. And, you know, it's good to...um...get to know people from other houses better."
Susan studied her for a moment, her eyes searching Hermione's face. Then, slowly, she smiled, and it was like the sun breaking through clouds.
"All right," she said. "That sounds fun. What time?"
Hermione's stomach flipped. "Around seven?"
"Seven it is," Susan agreed, closing her book and gathering her things.
As she stood, Hermione couldn't help but notice the way her robes hugged her figure, accentuating her curves in a way that made Hermione's throat go dry. Susan slung her bag over her shoulder and gave Hermione a parting smile.
"Thanks for inviting me, Hermione. I'll see you later."
Hermione could only nod, her heart pounding as she watched Susan walk away, her auburn hair swaying gently with each step. The sunlight caught her in just the right way, making her look almost ethereal.
As soon as Susan was out of sight, Hermione groaned quietly and buried her face in her hands. "Get it together, Granger," she muttered to herself. But the memory of Susan's smile lingered, and despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help the small, giddy smile that crept across her face.
The Gryffindor Common Room
By the time seven o'clock rolled around, the Gryffindor common room was buzzing with energy. Ginny and Lavender were sprawled out on the rug near the fireplace, laughing as Parvati recounted a particularly dramatic story about Divination class. Hermione stood near the entrance, anxiously smoothing her hair and adjusting her robes for what felt like the hundredth time.
"You know," Ginny said, smirking up at her from the floor, "I've never seen you fuss this much about a guest before."
"I'm not fussing," Hermione snapped, though her hands betrayed her as they fiddled with the hem of her sweater.
"Right," Ginny drawled, exchanging a knowing look with Lavender. "Because it's completely normal for you to spend twenty minutes debating which chair to sit in so you can look casual but not too casual."
Hermione glared at her. "You're not helping."
"I think it's cute," Lavender said, propping her chin on her hand. "Susan Bones is gorgeous, after all. If I were you, I'd be nervous too."
"I'm not nervous!" Hermione insisted, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her.
Before Ginny or Lavender could respond, the portrait hole creaked open, and the room seemed to hold its breath.
Susan stepped inside, and for a moment, it felt as though the entire common room had turned to look at her. She was still wearing her school uniform, but somehow, she made it look effortlessly chic. Her auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her confident smile lit up the room.
"Hi," she said, her voice warm as she glanced around.
Hermione stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest. "Hi, Susan. Come in, make yourself comfortable."
Susan's gaze swept the room, taking in the cozy furniture, the crackling fire, and the lively atmosphere. "It's so...Gryffindor in here," she said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling.
Ginny snorted. "What gave it away? The red and gold everything?"
Susan grinned and made her way further into the room, setting her bag down by one of the chairs. Hermione felt her pulse quicken as Susan's eyes met hers again.
"I can see why everyone says the Gryffindor common room is the most fun," Susan said. "Thanks for inviting me, Hermione."
Hermione's cheeks flushed, but she managed a smile. "I'm glad you came."
Hermione sat perched on the edge of her seat, her hands resting on her lap as Susan lounged comfortably beside her, one leg crossed over the other. Ginny and Lavender sprawled on the floor nearby, while Parvati and a couple of other girls sat around in a loose semicircle. Despite the lively chatter, Hermione's attention was fixed on Susan, and Susan alone.
"So, Susan," Ginny said, her eyes darting between her friend and the Hufflepuff girl with a mischievous twinkle. "What's it like being a Bones? Big shoes to fill, yeah?"
Susan gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, brushing a stray lock of auburn hair behind her ear. "You could say that," she replied, her voice light, though her expression turned thoughtful. "My aunt Amelia is...well, she's brilliant, obviously. She's one of the most respected witches in the Ministry, and she's been a role model for me since I can remember. But it's definitely not easy living up to the family name."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, leaning forward slightly.
Susan hesitated for a moment, her amber-brown eyes flickering to the fire as if searching for the right way to answer. "It's just...there's a lot of pressure. Everyone expects me to be like her—strong, fearless, perfect. But sometimes..." She trailed off, her fingers absently tracing the seam of her skirt. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm just pretending to be all those things. Like I'll never quite measure up."
"That's not true," Hermione said quickly, the words tumbling out before she could think. "You're brilliant, Susan. I mean, anyone can see that. And—" She stopped herself, suddenly aware of how intensely she was speaking. She sat back, her cheeks flushing. "Well, I just mean...you shouldn't be so hard on yourself."
Susan's lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Hermione. That means a lot."
"Don't let her fool you, though," Ginny piped up, grinning as she reached for a handful of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. "Susan's got nerves of steel. Did you know she once stood up to Malfoy in the middle of the Great Hall? Told him off so thoroughly he couldn't even come up with a comeback."
"Really?" Hermione asked, her eyebrows shooting up. She turned to Susan, her admiration growing. "I didn't know that."
Susan shrugged, her smile turning a bit sheepish. "It wasn't that impressive. Malfoy's a prat; it doesn't take much to put him in his place."
"Still," Hermione said, a spark of amusement lighting her eyes, "it's more than most people can say. I'll bet he didn't bother you again after that."
"He didn't," Susan admitted, her smile widening. "I think I scared him."
The group laughed, the tension easing into something warm and comfortable. Hermione noticed how Susan's shoulders relaxed, how her confidence seemed to shine a little brighter. It was a side of Susan she hadn't seen before, and she found herself wanting to know more—everything, really.
"I still can't believe your aunt actually arrested someone for illegally transfiguring a teapot into a talking parrot," Ginny said with a bright smile.
Susan laughed, adjusting her position on the plush red couch she shared with Hermione. "Oh, that's nothing. Last summer, she had to deal with a wizard who tried to charm his neighbor's garden gnomes to sing opera. The problem was, they only knew one aria from 'The Magic Flute' and wouldn't stop singing it. Day and night, for three weeks straight."
Hermione found herself grinning, not just at the story but at the animated way Susan told it. The firelight caught the auburn highlights in her hair, and her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"The poor neighbors," Hermione said, trying not to focus on how their shoulders were almost touching. "Though I have to admit, I'm curious about which aria it was."
Susan cleared her throat and, in an exaggerated operatic voice, belted out: "Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen!"
Ginny nearly fell out of her chair laughing. "Susan Bones, have you been holding out on us? That was actually good!"
"Five years of magical music lessons," Susan admitted, blushing slightly. "Aunt Amelia insisted. Said it would help with precise spell pronunciation. Though I think she secretly hoped I'd become the next Celestina Warbeck."
"Better than my mum's music lessons," Ginny groaned. "She tried to teach me to play the magical harp once. Somehow I managed to make it chase Percy around the house for an hour, playing nothing but funeral dirges."
"No!" Susan gasped between giggles. "What did Percy do?"
"Wrote a three-foot essay on 'The Proper Treatment and Respect of Magical Musical Instruments' and made me read it aloud at dinner," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "Though Fred and George later charmed it to replace every third word with 'underpants.'"
Hermione tried to maintain a disapproving expression but failed miserably. "That does sound like something they would do. Though I have to say, Susan, I'm impressed. I didn't know you were musically inclined."
"There's a lot you don't know about me," Susan replied with a playful smile that made Hermione's heart skip a beat. "For instance, I can also juggle Pygmy Puffs. Though after the Great Pygmy Puff Escape of '95, I'm not allowed to demonstrate anymore."
"Now that's a story you have to tell," Hermione insisted, shifting slightly closer without really meaning to.
"Well," Susan began, her eyes twinkling, "it all started when Hannah convinced me that Pygmy Puffs would look more festive with Cheering Charms..."
Hermione found herself completely captivated, not just by the story, but by the way Susan told it—the little gestures she made, the way she paused for dramatic effect, how her shoulder would occasionally brush against Hermione's as she acted out particularly exciting parts. Across from them, Ginny caught Hermione's eye and gave her a knowing smirk, which Hermione pointedly ignored.
The conversation flowed easily between them, jumping from Pygmy Puff disasters to favorite books to embarrassing childhood magical accidents.
"So, what do you do to unwind?" Hermione asked, her tone deliberately light. "You seem so busy all the time."
Susan tilted her head thoughtfully. "Honestly? I love sneaking into the greenhouses when I need a break. There's something about being surrounded by plants and quiet that just...calms me. It's like the world slows down for a bit."
"You like Herbology?" Hermione asked, surprised.
Susan nodded, her eyes lighting up. "It's one of my favorite subjects. There's something so satisfying about caring for something and watching it grow. Plus, Professor Garlick's the best."
"She is," Hermione agreed, smiling. "I never would've guessed you were so passionate about Herbology, though."
Susan shrugged. "It's not something I talk about much. Most people don't find plants all that interesting."
"I think it's fascinating," Hermione said earnestly. "I mean, there's so much magic in the natural world—so many things we don't even fully understand yet."
Susan's smile softened. "You're kind of amazing, you know that?"
Hermione blinked, her brain momentarily short-circuiting. "I—I'm not," she stammered, her cheeks turning a furious shade of red.
"You are," Susan insisted, her tone light but sincere. "You're always so determined, so focused. It's inspiring."
Ginny, who had been eavesdropping with obvious amusement, snickered quietly. "Merlin's beard, just snog her already."
Hermione shot Ginny a death glare, but Susan only laughed, her cheeks tinged with the faintest pink. "You Gryffindors really don't hold back, do you?"
"Not when it comes to our friends," Ginny replied cheekily, tossing a Bertie Bott's bean into her mouth and grimacing. "Ugh, earwax. Typical."
The room erupted into laughter. Hermione felt herself relax, though her heart still fluttered in her chest every time Susan's gaze lingered on hers.
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It was Lavender's idea to play "Never Have I Ever," which, in hindsight, was probably inevitable. She'd been pestering the group about it ever since Susan arrived, claiming it was the perfect way to "get to know each other better."
"I'm just saying," Lavender said, grinning as she twirled her hair around her finger, "it's a classic. And it's fun."
Susan raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but amused. "Isn't that the game where everyone just ends up embarrassed?"
"Exactly," Lavender replied, as though that were the whole point.
The group settled into a loose circle, Ginny and Lavender leading the charge with the first few rounds. The questions were innocent enough at first—Never have I ever ridden a dragon; Never have I ever broken a bone—but it didn't take long for things to take a more personal turn.
"Never have I ever kissed a girl," Ginny said, smirking as she took a sip from her butterbeer.
Lavender immediately followed suit, and so did Parvati, though her cheeks turned pink as she did. All eyes turned to Susan, who hesitated for a fraction of a second before lifting her drink and taking a sip, her expression unreadable.
The room went quiet for a beat before Lavender burst out laughing. "I knew it! You've got to tell us who it was!"
Susan smirked, her confidence returning as she leaned back against the couch. "Why would I do that?"
"Because we're your new best friends," Lavender replied dramatically. "Come on, give us something. Was she cute?"
Susan rolled her eyes but smiled. "Yes, she was cute. And that's all you're getting."
Hermione, who had been sitting quietly for most of the game, felt her face heat up. She tried to focus on the bottle of butterbeer in her hands, but her mind kept replaying the way Susan had looked when she sipped her drink, the faint curve of her lips and the glint of mischief in her eyes.
"What about you, Hermione?" Ginny asked suddenly, her grin downright wicked.
Hermione rolled her eyes, taking a spit from the glass. "I'm pretty sure I snoged with Lavender during the party." she added confidently, earning a round of giggles around them and Lavender turned a bit red, remembering the feeling of Hermione's lips against her.
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As the evening wore on, the group began to thin out. One by one, the girls excused themselves, until it was just Hermione and Susan left by the fire. The room was quieter now, the only sounds the crackle of the flames and the occasional creak of the castle settling.
"Thanks for inviting me tonight," Susan said, her voice soft. She was sitting cross-legged on the couch, her hair glowing in the firelight. "I had a good time."
"I'm glad," Hermione replied, tucking her legs under herself as she turned to face Susan. "I mean, I wasn't sure if you'd enjoy it. We can be a bit...much."
Susan laughed, the sound light and musical. "You're not as intimidating as you think you are, Hermione."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "I'm intimidating?"
"A little," Susan admitted, her smile teasing. "But in a good way. You're so smart. It's impressive."
Hermione looked down, suddenly feeling shy. "I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I'm just...trying to keep up."
"Don't sell yourself short," Susan said gently.
Hermione's chest tightened at the sincerity in Susan's voice. She looked up, meeting Susan's gaze, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away. The firelight danced in Susan's eyes, and Hermione felt a pull she couldn't quite explain.
Ginny, passing by on her way upstairs, paused long enough to catch Hermione's eye. She raised her eyebrows and mouthed, Go for it, before disappearing up the staircase.
Hermione bit her lip, her heart pounding as she turned back to Susan. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. She wanted to say something, to do something, but she wasn't sure where to begin.
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The night air in Hogwarts Castle was crisp, cool, and quiet. The kind of silence that carried its own weight, filling the spaces between footsteps and thoughts. Hermione and Susan walked side by side down one of the endless corridors, their shadows flickering faintly in the torchlight. Every step they took echoed softly against the high stone walls, and though neither of them spoke, the silence wasn't uncomfortable. If anything, it felt electric.
"Thanks for inviting me tonight," Susan said suddenly, her voice breaking the quiet but doing so gently, like a ripple across still water. She turned her head slightly to smile at Hermione, her auburn hair brushing against her shoulder. "I really needed that."
"I'm glad you came," Hermione replied quickly, her words coming out in a slightly rushed tumble. She looked straight ahead as she spoke, unable to meet Susan's eyes for too long without her heart starting to race. "It was nice having you there. I mean...everyone enjoyed having you there."
"Everyone?" Susan teased, a playful lilt in her voice. "You sure you don't just mean you?"
Hermione froze for a split second, feeling her cheeks flush. She tried to laugh it off, but it came out too nervous, too forced. "Well, I mean...I—yes, of course I enjoyed having you there. But Lavender and Ginny liked you too!" She winced inwardly at how awkward she sounded, but Susan didn't seem to mind.
Instead, Susan just chuckled, the sound soft and warm. She glanced sideways at Hermione, her smile widening as she noticed how flustered the bushy-haired girl had become. "Relax, Hermione," she said lightly. "You don't have to act like a professor around me, you know."
Hermione blinked, then laughed despite herself, the tension in her chest loosening just a bit. "I don't act like a professor," she said, though even as she said it, she knew it wasn't entirely true.
"Don't you?" Susan quipped, arching a delicate eyebrow. "You've got the whole thing down—the serious tone, the way you cross your arms when you're trying to make a point..." She mimicked Hermione's stance, folding her arms and adopting an exaggeratedly stern expression.
Hermione couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing faintly in the empty corridor. "All right, maybe I do a little," she admitted, grinning. "But only because someone has to keep people like Ron and Harry in line."
"Fair enough," Susan said with a smile. "But you don't need to keep me in line, Hermione. I think I can handle myself."
Hermione nodded, though her mind was too preoccupied with the way Susan's smile lit up her face.
They turned a corner, the torches lining the walls giving way to a tall, arched window that stretched almost from floor to ceiling. Moonlight spilled through the glass, painting the hallway in a silvery glow. Susan slowed her pace, and Hermione did the same, the two of them coming to a stop near the window.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Hermione could feel her pulse in her throat, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what to say—or whether to say anything at all.
"This is nice," Susan said softly, breaking the quiet. She turned to face Hermione, leaning lightly against the window's stone frame. The moonlight caught in her auburn hair, making it shimmer like molten copper. "Walking with you like this."
Hermione swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "It is," she managed to say, though her voice was quieter than she'd intended.
Susan tilted her head slightly, her gaze soft and searching. "Thanks again for tonight," she said, her voice carrying that same warm, honeyed quality Hermione had come to adore.
"I'm glad you liked it," Hermione said, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt her palms grow clammy, her nerves jangling as Susan's eyes locked onto hers.
Susan smiled, the kind of smile that made Hermione's heart skip a beat. "I'm glad too," she said. Her voice dropped slightly, her tone almost teasing. "But you're staring at me, you know."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't even realized she'd been staring, but now that Susan had pointed it out, she couldn't look away. "I—I'm sorry," she stammered, her cheeks burning.
Susan shook her head, her smile widening. "Don't be." Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "I don't mind."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy and electric. Hermione's heart pounded in her chest, the sound of it almost drowning out the world around her. For a moment, she stood frozen, torn between her nerves and the overwhelming pull she felt toward Susan.
But then Susan tilted her head just slightly, her expression open and inviting, and something inside Hermione shifted. She took a step closer, closing the small gap between them. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached up, hesitating for the briefest of moments before brushing a strand of hair away from Susan's face.
"I'm sorry," Hermione murmured again, though she wasn't entirely sure what she was apologizing for.
Susan's smile softened, and she shook her head. "You don't have to apologize, Hermione."
And then, without thinking, without overanalyzing, Hermione leaned in.
Their lips met tentatively at first, a soft and uncertain brush that sent a jolt of electricity racing through Hermione's entire body. Susan's lips were warm and soft, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. But as the kiss deepened, as Susan responded by gently placing her hands on Hermione's waist and pulling her just a little closer, everything else faded away.
Hermione felt a warmth bloom in her chest, spreading through her like fire. She wasn't sure how long they stayed like that—seconds? Minutes?—but when they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their cheeks flushed.
Susan chuckled softly, her hands still resting lightly on Hermione's waist. "I didn't think you'd actually do it," she said, her voice teasing but gentle.
Hermione's face turned scarlet. "I—uh—I don't know what came over me," she stammered, her words tumbling out in a rush.
Susan smiled, reaching up to brush her fingers lightly against Hermione's cheek. "I'm glad you did," she said simply.
Before Hermione could respond, Susan leaned in and pressed a quick, soft kiss to her lips. Then she stepped back, her hand lingering on Hermione's arm for a moment before she pulled away completely.
"Goodnight, Hermione," Susan said, her voice soft and full of warmth. She gave Hermione one last smile before turning and walking down the hallway, her auburn hair swaying gently with each step.
Hermione stood frozen, her fingers brushing against her lips as she watched Susan disappear into the shadows. Her heart was racing, her thoughts a chaotic jumble, but one thing was clear: she wanted more. More moments like this, more time with Susan.
As she turned and began the walk back to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione couldn't stop the small, giddy smile that spread across her face. She felt like she was floating, her mind replaying the kiss over and over.
She could almost hear Ginny and Luna's reactions to this.
