thick skin and an elastic heart

Chapter 26

Juliana's back hit the wall with a loud thud. The air rushed out of her lungs. Valentina paused. Her hands pressed against the wall on either side of Juliana's head.

"Are you okay?" She asked in obvious concern.

"I'm fine," Juliana chuckled, grabbing the front of Valentina's robes and pulling her closer.

"Okay, good," Valentina whispered. She bumped her nose against Juliana's. "I missed you."

"I saw you at breakfast," Juliana laughed.

Valentina nuzzled the space by her ear, kissing her cheek then the corner of her mouth, before finally on her lips.

"Val," she gasped into her mouth, "we don't have time."

Valentina pressed her further into the wall, kissing Juliana with hunger and ferocity she returned with equal fervor. She bit Val's lower lip, making her moan before she deepened the kiss. Juliana moved one hand from Val's lower back to her neck, rubbing the skin behind her ear and making the other girl moan again against her lips. "Juls..."

The warning bell echoed through the halls.

Juliana reluctantly pulled away, breaking the kiss. Val was glossy-eyed and still had her pinned against the wall.

"I'll see you after class," she said, leaning forward and pecking Val's lips. Val started chasing after them, and Juliana laughed, ducking under her arm and away from the wall.

Valentina stepped back from the wall with a groan.

"Don't be late to class," Juliana smirked. "I'll see you later."

Juliana exited the secret passageway and continued to class with a spring in her step. March rolled into April, and the sun shined down on Hogwarts. Juliana and Valentina snuck away whenever possible, exchanging quick kisses in abandoned corridors or shadowy nooks. The sun shone brighter, and they could walk the grounds hand-in-hand. Schoolwork and classes kept them busy, but at least they had the excuse of champion's practice to sneak off throughout the castle and the grounds.

They'd been 'together' for a month, but Juliana hesitated to put a label on things. She knew Val struggled with the idea of being gay. Juliana just was. This was how she'd always been and always would be. A label wouldn't change that, and she was happy. Her happiness was rare, and she clung to it like a lifeline.

Things were finally looking up. Now if only they could get even more time alone together...

----

"Val!" Juliana jumped over the trick step and hurried to Valentina, who was leaving the third-floor corridor, a few steps below her.

Valentina turned, face brightening, eyes shining, and mouth splitting into a wide smile.

"Juls!"

Juliana wrapped her in a hug. They rocked back and forth, swaying with the hug. Juliana curled into her shoulder, nuzzling her nose against her collarbone. Dating at Hogwarts was hard for everyone, but it felt especially hard for them. They couldn't kiss out in the corridors like the other couples. Their stolen moments were few and far between before and after classes. As girls, no one looked twice when they hugged or held hands, so that was a relief.

"How was class?" Valentina asked, wrapping her arm over Juliana's shoulder. Juliana clasped her dangling hand.

"A lot of homework. I'm hoping to get it done before Hogsmeade weekend."

"Right, that's this Sunday. Did you want to go together?"

Juliana glanced around, satisfied no one was paying attention to them. "Like a date?" she whispered. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies.