Romantic Complications

Hermione was enthralled by Hogwarts: the classes were fascinating, the school and its grounds were incredible, and she became fast friends with the Patel twins. As first years they shared all of their classes and she found herself sitting beside or between them in almost every one, if only to repress their bickering. Parvati pushed her out of her shell, dragging her along to lunch on the grounds or walks by the lake with the other students. Padma was a little more standoffish to begin with but she warmed up to Hermione after she helped both twins with the first round of homework.

She legitimately had no idea how to respond to the implications of the conversation she'd overheard on the first night so she did her best to put it out of her mind. If they had been talking about her... No. She wouldn't consider it, she'd probably dreamt it all anyway. Even if... well, Parvati wouldn't know what she'd be getting herself into. Hermione wouldn't let herself sabotage her burgeoning social life. For the first time she felt like she had really found a place for herself, not just with the twins but with the other girls as well.

Hermione huddled up with Parvati on her bed, the other girls gathered close, whispering about the Troll in the dungeon, "How did it get in?"

"Isn't the castle enchanted to stop creatures from just coming in?"

"Someone must have brought it here..."

"Why would someone unleash a troll in the middle of Halloween dinner?"

"Well I'm sure it wasn't on purpose!"

Hermione couldn't help but laugh uneasily as she watched the rumor mill churn out increasingly outlandish ideas. The original fear of Professor Quirrel passing out in the middle of the hall, screaming about trolls, had shifted into excitement. She met Parvati's gaze, "Never a dull moment at Hogwarts."

"Right!" The Indian witch grinned. She didn't look away. Neither did Hermione.

"Hermione?" Her head snapped to Lavender Brown, "I asked if you knew if there were any doors the troll could fit through. Other than the front door, obviously." Parvati cleared her throat and leaned back, Hermione caught Padma glaring at Lavender behind her back.

"Uh... Probably?"

Lavender turned back to the other girls, satisfied. Hermione felt hot, Parvati's closeness suddenly sweltering. She was suddenly acutely aware of their thighs touching, her back pressed against her friends shoulder, and just how close their faces had been when she'd turned. Her heart beat faster and she swallowed hard.

She'd crushed on a few boys growing up but she'd pretty much given up on romance until her schooling was done. She'd certainly never felt any attraction to girls... until now that is. Parvati shifted and she leaned forward to let her slide away, "Getting a little hot." Hermione nodded without meeting her eyes.