━━author's note: I am extremely soft for 'women' right now and you can see the result. I don't remember what exactly made me imagine this, but I'm glad I did. Anyways, here's a drabble about Hermione and you painting peonies together. I hope you enjoy ;)

━━warning(s): mentions of food.

━━word count: 1,003

It had been a long day. Hermione and you had spent hours in the library revising every thing you could for the next test. One of the perks of studying with her was that she always seemed to know what was more likely to be asked in an exam. She could pick up on small things and it really benefitted her and well you too, when you worked along with her. That wasn't the only advantage though. Spending time with your girlfriend was preferred over most things.

You stretched a little, groaning at the sensation. Hermione chuckled.

"I guess we overworked ourselves today," she said softly, looking at you. "What are you going to do later?"

Closing your eyes for a moment, you took in a huge yawn.

"I'm probably going to finish this painting I have been working on since weeks," you told her tiredly as she rolled her eyes.

"Well, that's stupid. You'll exhaust yourself even more," she said in her classic no-nonsense voice, but there was a kindness to it.

"It just- it calms me. More than other things at least," you stated, an idea growing in your head. "You know what? Join me today, it'll be fun."

Hermione's eyes widened as she started to shake her head before she even refused verbally.

"Oh no, I can't paint," she said. You laughed at her almost comical expression.

"I'll teach you then," you tried to say but were cut off.

"I'm absolutely the worse when it comes to these things, I'll be terrible-"

She had started to ramble, telling you a story of her many many fails. You tried to have sympathy but you had never seen anyone so scared to draw before. Placing your hands on her shoulder, you shook her, calling out her name until she quietened. Hermione looked at you with startled eyes.

"It's okay you don't have to come if you don't want to," you said. "And if you do, I'm won't force you to paint either."

She flushed deeply, looking away. You kissed her cheek.

"You're adorable," you teased making her playfully roll her eyes.

Hermione slipped her hand in yours as you two walked back to the common room in silence.

You sighed when you saw your comfortable bed. Taking out some loose pajamas, you left to take a well needed shower. When you came back, you felt refreshed. Transforming one of the stools into an easel, you started taking out paints and canvas.

You had almost expected her not to be there, when you heard a knock to your dorm room. Opening up, you saw Hermione holding up a big bag of cookies.

"Where did you get that?" you asked.

"From the kitchens."

She sat down on your bed with a plop, looking up at you. You gave her a smile, munching on one of the cookies. After some talking and eating, you started to work on your last painting. Peonies. Mixing in colours together, you made the lightest pink possible and started to paint.

Hermione watched on intensely, sometimes standing right behind you to observe your work. Even though you knew her attention was on the painting you couldn't help but burn up under her gaze. Your hand quivered.

"Would you like to try?" you asked, turning towards her. She looked unsure. You gave her your best encouraging smile.

"I'll be near you, I won't let you screw up."

"Guess it wouldn't hurt to try," she said and you excitedly handed her a smaller brush.

She started to put some strokes haphazardly as you shook your head. You took her hand in yours, showing her how it was done correctly. Hermione felt herself flush. Your eyes looked sharper as you concentrated on the canvas before you two. Turning her attention back, she nodded getting the hang of it. She couldn't help but grin as you told her it was correct.

The two of you spent the next hour painting and shading. Occasionally you would tell her to colour different areas, but other than that it was rather quiet. Hermione found herself growing rather frustrated. It was a slow process and she certainly couldn't see immediate results. You looked at her as she released a groan.

"How do you have the patience to do this?" she asked and you chuckled.

"The slow process is what makes it more calming," you pointed out as she opened her mouth to retort but instead gave a mischievous smile. You furrowed your eyebrows because you knew that look.

"Wha-" you began but she had already splat some paint on your face. Your eyes grew large and you slowly realised what had happened; before you were hit with another splash.

"Oh, this is way more fun," Hermione said as you drew a long line from her forehead to the tip of her nose.

"Hey!" she squealed as you laughed.

It was too late to rethink. The paint war had begun. You two threw paint on each other, giggling and crackling, the peonies long forgotten. By the time you two were tired, you were huffing and your cheeks hurt from how much you laughed. Casting a spell, you cleaned yourself and Hermione of all the paint.

"I loved this, we should do it again," Hermione said, her cheeks pink.

"Painting on the canvas or me?" you asked, raising as eyebrow.

Hermione smirked, removing the invisible creases from your shirt.

"I think you know the answer," she said. You let out a laugh. Placing your hands on the sides of her waist, you pulled her closer. You could see the flecks in her eyes.

"You have a little left," Hermione said, pointing to your face as you scowled. She smiled, shaking her head and slowly removed it with her thumb. "There."

You couldn't help it. Cradling her face you pressed a firm kiss to her lips. She gave you a confused expression and you shrugged.

"You missed a little there," you said, trying and failing to maintain a poker face.

━━P.S. Thoughts?