Author Notes : Some of you may consider this chapter to be rated PG-15. I can't really say why, because it will give away the chapter. But proceed with caution!
Chapter 17: Love
Harry remained under the table, Hermione still clutching his arm tightly. He was fighting the memory of Hermione against the Dementors. As he did this he caught odd glimpses of silver smoke and mutters of Expecto Patronum. He guessed that the professors were fighting the beasts. He felt the sudden urge to get up and help; after all he was one of the few students who could conjure a patronus by fifth year. Without another thought he leapt up from under the desk, wand pointed out. "Expecto Patronum!" he yelled, continuing the thoughts of his love for Hermione. The silver wisp of smoke shot out of his wand causing two dementors to flee. He heard numerous other patronus' cast, as he noticed Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin battling the Dementors. He suddenly felt the cold chill disappear. Hermione and Ron then crawled out from under the desk.
"Nice one mate," said Ron. Hermione punched him in the arm.
"Harry, you could have got yourself killed!" she cried.
"I'm sorry Herm, but I had to do this. Besides, I wouldn't have been killed, just lifeless." He laughed lightly but quickly stopped when he noticed Hermione's frown. They heard a light coughing from behind them, and they looked up to see Dumbledore standing at the front of the hall.
"Everybody please re-take their seats. I do not think that the Dementors will return; however I think it is safer that you return to your common rooms for the night. If both house Prefects would escort all students back to their rooms it would be greatly appreciated."
*
When Hermione and Harry had finished leading the students back to the common room, they took their seats in there and were approached by Colin Creevey.
"Hi guys! Look at these pictures I got of those Dementors," he squealed. Harry and Hermione looked on at the pictures. "Do you think the Daily Prophet will publish them?"
"Let me ask you something Colin. Do you really think that people are going to want to see that…that…thing on the front of the newspaper while they are eating their breakfast?" asked Hermione. She took notice of the confused look on his face. "Ok, I'll answer for you. No they are not! That thing is hideous!"
Colin looked disappointed. "I guess you're right, but I might send them in anyway." The excited reporter hurried off to show other pupils his photos. Harry noticed Neville looking extremely queasy when he glanced at the images. Harry turned sharply when he felt Hermione's hand touch his shoulder.
"Oh, Hermione, sorry you startled me. What's up?" he asked.
Hermione had a huge grin on her face, but looked like she wanted to hide it. "I want to show you something. Now don't get too excited because I have to show McGonagall first, but I think this might be very helpful." She sat down opposite Harry at a small table in the corner of the room. Then Ron walked over.
"Hi guys, what's going on?" he asked.
"I don't know yet, I'm about to find out, take a seat." Harry replied. Ron pulled up a seat next to them. Hermione then pulled out a thick, leather coated book. It must have been a thousand pages long. Harry then noticed the engraved writing on the front. "Official Quidditch Rules: Revised Edition."
"Right, this is the official Quidditch rule book, revised last year. I read through every rule, and I think I have finally found something that can get you back on the team. Here it is," she said, opening the book. "Page six hundred and fifty six. Any Quidditch player who physically attacks another player should be immediately removed from the match and banned from the next league game. Unless, said player was physically provoked by the player he attacked," she read aloud. "If I show this to McGonagall, surely she can send it somebody at the Department of Magical Games and Sports."
"I don't see any problems, that should shut up that idiot Malfoy," hissed Ron.
"Thank you Hermione," said Harry, beaming. "I can't believe you would put so much effort into something that you're not even really interested in." Hermione just smiled sweetly at him.
Ron looked around and noticed that they were the only students still awake. "Well, I don't know about you guys but I am whacked, I'm off to bed, night."
"Night," they both said together.
Harry moved his chair closer to Hermione's. He placed his hands over one of hers and looked deeply into her chocolate colour eyes. "You know Hermione, seeing what you did for me here tonight, makes me realise just how lucky I am. I mean you don't have to show an interest in my interests or listen to my problems, or get up in the middle of the night and help me recover from a nightmare. You really are one of a kind," he said admiring her.
She looked down, going a little red. "I could say the same about you Harry," she answered softly. He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
"I'm off to bed, I'll see you tomorrow," he kissed her on the cheek this time and made his way up to the boys dormitory.
*
The next morning Harry was woken up by a few excited voices. It took him a while to realise it was Christmas Day, until he saw Ron bounding around the dormitory. He leapt up out of bed and rushed past Ron down the stairs. Ron quickly followed him. Harry looked around in search for Hermione. "Have you seen Hermione?" he asked.
"Not since last night. Hey Ginny, have you seen Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, I think she's just getting changed." Ginny answered.
Harry sat down on a cushion on the ground and suddenly felt a thump in his stomach as Ron shoved a present onto his lap. Harry opened up the present and noticed a slip of paper and a bottle.
"It's a five galleon gift voucher for Fred and George's shop, and a bottle of broom polish to keep the old Firebolt up to scratch." Ron said quickly.
"Thanks Ron, I'll be sure to spend the voucher wisely." He then unwrapped Ginny's gift.
"It's for you and Hermione really, but I want you to open it now," encouraged the excited redhead. Harry opened it and discovered a framed picture of himself and Hermione at the Yule Ball this year.
"It's wonderful, thank you Ginny. I'll show Hermione when she comes down." After a little more time spent exchanging presents Harry started to worry about Hermione. He walked up to the Girl's Dormitory and opened the door a crack. He could hear somebody talking quietly and it sounded like Hermione's voice. He eventually guessed that she was talking to the broach that he had given to her.
"Hermione," he said softly.
"Harry, come in," she said rather brightly. After Harry hadn't entered for a few seconds, Hermione spoke again. "You can come in."
"But, Hermione this is a girl's room."
"It's ok, we don't bite. Besides, I'm the only one here." Hermione replied. Harry then walked into the room. He caught his breath slightly when he noticed the thin silk dressing gown Hermione was wearing. Clearly Ginny was wrong about her getting dressed.
"Uh…are you ok," he managed to squeeze out.
"Yes, I was just looking at my parents, I wished them a Merry Christmas. Harry, why aren't you looking at me?" she asked. This caught Harry off guard as he fought the urge not to look at the slight bit of cleavage showing beneath her gown.
"Sorry Hermione, I think its breast…I mean best if I go." He turned towards the door, but he felt Hermione's hand pull him back. He turned to face her, as she pressed her lips against his. He felt her chest touch his and he couldn't fight it any longer. He relaxed into her kiss and turned her against the wall, he pressed his body hard against hers as he assaulted her lips with his. He felt Hermione running her fingers through his hair as he kissed her jawbone and neck. They fell back onto Hermione's bed as he slowly pulled open her gown.
A while later, the two lovers pulled away from each other and sat up in Hermione's bed.
"Hermione…I…err…think we may have gone too far just now." Harry said slowly.
"I don't know what happened, I couldn't control myself." Hermione replied. The two nervously glanced around at the clothes on the ground.
"I should go, people will be getting suspicious," said Harry. "Do you mind not looking ?" Hermione looked away, as Harry pulled on his pyjamas, and left the room.