Almost There

Feron

Rating: R
Genres: Romance, Humor
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 16/01/2004
Last Updated: 30/03/2004
Status: paused

Harry goes through his last year in Hogwarts contemplating about girls, Voldemort, and hormones. Shows the angst and eagerness of a teenager torn apart in the last stages of his school year. A tribute to those poor Muggles who only have pills and condoms for contraceptives.

Chapters

1. In but Sorta Not

2. Oy! my pillow!

1. In but Sorta Not

Title: Almost There

Pairing: Harry/Hermione

Rating: R

Summary: Harry goes through his last year in Hogwarts contemplating about girls, Voldemort, and hormones. Shows the angst and eagerness of a teenager torn apart in the last stages of his school year. A tribute to those poor muggles who only have pills and condoms for contraceptives.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 1

Swish and flick

Swish and flick

If it only it had been that easy.

I’d probably have high marks in this subject. The subject of muggle Studies, that is. You see in this class we had to learn about teenage puberty and adolescence. Particulary, the goings about in a human body with regards to the reproductive system. Yes, not only did we have pictures but also an unfortunate banana and a lubricated muggle prophylactic.

There is no magic in procreating. Fate does not work that way. There are charms, yes, but this is Muggle Studies. Damn them for not having an ounce of sexual security.

I have no idea why we have to take this class; after all, not everyone here is innocent…at least not in the ‘I have no idea what sex is’ kind of way. There were secret snog places all over Hogwarts Castle and not to mention the ever eternal gardens outside on castle grounds.

Ron, however, was semi-excited with the lessons we were having. See, this is like in the movies where all the boys in this class make sarcastic and absurd comments to the professor. But then this class happens to be taught by Madam Pomfrey. Any kinky comments or daft talk about this will earn a nice one week detention with the dismal Filch.

However, Hermione was clearly interested in this—subject of procreation. She would raise her hand and ask plenty of legitimate questions about err... umm... sex. I can’t even bear to think of the bloody word more or less say it. I may be a seventeen year old but this is completely embarrassing and, at the same time, a little bit too late for some of us.

Ron fell in to that lot—those who thought that these lessons were too late for them. He’s been with Lavender Brown, Susan Bones and the rest I don’t know. Well, I’d rather not know who else. He was certainly no gentleman about his sex life. He actually made a point to describe to you in crude detail what happened in his sexual escapades inside the tool shed or an empty classroom. Frankly, it’s a good thing he never asked Hermione out or else I’d be subjected into total discomfort and sheer torture. Lately, Ron’s been shagging a Ravenclaw beater. In the dungeons, under the stands in the Quidditch pitch, by the Restricted Section in the library, and so on and so forth..

Anyway, forget about Ron. Currently, Madam Pomfrey is telling us the means to staying healthy in order to do it. We were shown and taught the different types of afflictions that could befall us if our partner messed things up. My (so-called) attention to the lesson was interrupted by Ron saying something quite disturbing.

"Harry! What in god’s name is she yapping about? There are only three holes you can put your bollocks into!" he whispered.

"You daft git! She’s not talking about where you’re going to put your bleedin’ Jones!" I replied to which he reddened.

"Oh... !" He turned his attention back to the awful lesson.

Ron is so unfocused sometimes that even something that’s in front of him like, let’s say…an elephant, is in danger of not being noticed. Hermione told me that Lavender was hurt when he left her for another girl. And Luna was still obsessed with the guy. Poor Luna. I really don’t get him at times. I guess it’s because this is the age we were supposed to be having fun and play around, normal things like that. But in my reality, anything around or close to me is anything but normal.. We (I, Ron, and Hermione) try to be normal but fate has deemed for us to always fail at such attempts miserably.

The inevitable war against Voldemort always hovered above our heads. Well, over mine most of all. For now, the only light at the end of the dark tunnel was the distraction provided by the upcoming Yule Ball. Mine was simply having Voldemort get off my back and die already. I can’t help it if sometimes I’d think depressing thoughts about things that are coming. He took a lot of people I cared about and it doesn’t look like he’ll change his mind about that anytime soon. The horrible images and memories keep repeating in my mind for countless times. It’s difficult to get them out of my head, although there seems to be one person in my life who can effectively make me forget.

That person will always be there for me, I can assure you that. She will give you encouragement when you’re down. A shoulder to cry on when you feel like breaking down. A hug and a kiss on the cheek before a Quidditch match when you’re nervous. A backrub if you feel stressed out. Many a tutorial session on subjects you need help with. A smile that’s always returned. An enthusiastic wave from the stands while you look for the snitch. A lending hand if you need help with your belongings. A good scolding when you’re out of line. She’s everything you want in a friend and more. She’s like a handyman…err…handywoman of all sorts. Never girlfriend material though. She always seems too preoccupied with her studies for a relationship.

This class is dragging the light out of the day. The only person keenly interested in this class is that girl. Any new information would keep her at the end of her toes and have her furiously write parchments and parchments of notes. She is fascinating in a way because of these quirky habits and mannerisms. Not a modern woman type of a girl but also not a homely one like Molly Weasley. Rather, more of an intelligent lady with a devil-may-care attitude that curiously attracts me. She isn’t that gorgeous so to speak but she does attract a good number of wizards at Hogwarts.

Another confused musing of Ron’s interrupts my ‘that girl’ thoughts. "What in Merlin’s beard is she talking about?" he muttered.

Madame Pomfrey is looking at us with a really murderous glare. Ron is so oblivious at times!

"Isn’t it obvious that she’s mentally telling you to shut your big gob!" I whispered harshly. He decides to pay attention again.

However, when Madam Pomfrey got around to explaining the certain diseases you get while having unsafe intercourse, the panic in Ron’s face was hard to miss.

"You mean to say you could get those bloody creepy STD’s if your partner is not clean?" he said with alarm.

"Get your mind working straight for once, Ron. Of course you can! There are girls out there who are unclean, for a lack of a better word," I retorted. Ron visibly shuddered.

"Bloody Hell!

"Yes I know! So bugger off and listen to her."

"Bloody Hell!" he whispered again, his face turning paler.

"What are you on about anyway? Don’t tell me you have those things ‘cause I swear I will stand up from my seat immediately and sit at the back!"

"No! You fuckin’ arse. I never took precautions!"

That’s when Hermione entered the conversation.

"Ronald Weasley! You mean to tell me that you had unprotected sex with all those girls?!?" she hissed harshly to him.

"I never thought of it! I was only concerned about the charm that I had to do to not get the girl bloody knocked up! Do you think I had my whole mind in focus when I’m shagging someone?!?" He snapped back.

"Well, the next time you think you will, better make sure! You don’t want to get a disease or something worse!" I laughed at Hermione’s protectiveness.

"And why are you laughing Harry James Potter? This is also for your own good! You don’t want to see several ickle Harrys running around, do you?" she raised her eyebrow.

"You bloody well know that I’ve never been—"

"Harry! You never had sex before?" Ron cut me off.

Now it was Hermione who had a smile. It was a weird smile too. It was sort of a cross between triumph and relief. She’s happy that I’m still a virgin? What was I supposed to tell her? I am but not in entirety. How in the bloody hell will I ever have sex if everyone is constantly watching my every move? I really don’t know how to word this without sounding too foolish.

"Well?" My, my, my…always the impatient Hermione. Now Ron has his eyes bugged out of his sockets. This is freaking me out literally.

"Well, I am...but sorta not." Their mouths are literally hanging open at this.

"How can you be a virgin but not sure of it?" Hermione was really pushing this while Ron is still staring at me like I’m some sort of freak or is that awe on his face?

Not to sound egotistical but I’m aware that I can have any girl I want in this school except of course Hermione but that’s different she’s my best friend.

"What in Merlin’s beard does that mean, mate?"

"Harry, how can you be a virgin but unsure of it?" She’s looking pretty anxious now and curious.

Should I tell them the truth or sugarcoat it? It’s not my fault that I got caught in bed, half-naked with Morgan on top of me by Dudley of all people. It was literally there but I didn’t push. This may sound blunt but that’s where the confusion comes in. No one ever mentioned that incident in the house (thankfully!). It was almost like the Fidelius Charm with a twist. The secret-keeper was Dudley. I guess Dudley was too embarrassed about it or too scared. I just turned seventeen and a legal wizard at that. He never did tell my uncle or aunt about the almost-shagging incident. Up to now I don’t know why. She got up from the bed and hurried out the door buttoning up her blouse and holding up her skirt with one hand, leaving her knickers on the floor. I was left there on the bed with the most disappointed frown on my face and my John still a bit hard. I could just hex Dudley for ruining the moment.

Morgan was my down-the-block neighbor on Privet Drive. I never saw her before since they just moved in this summer. She was always walking by my house wearing summery outfits and a huge smile. It was my sixteenth summer with the Dursleys. And it was tolerable at that (surprisingly). She may be a little bit aggressive on the side but it was certainly appealing especially to a hormonal teenager.

After several weeks of making me notice her, I went into the inevitable. I asked her out. We went out for a few weeks. I’d sneak her in my room and we’d snog, or we’ll go somewhere and just hang out. We went to the movies, restaurants, and bookstores. She’s an avid reader like Hermione. Always almost buying out the store. We never went to her house because she said her parents were strict or rather too paranoid about her getting a boyfriend. I wasn’t even a boyfriend at first.

I felt so comfortable with her and she with me that we felt like we’ve known each other for ages. It kills me that I can’t call her or tell her what’s happened to me since going back to Hogwarts. I know she’s probably mad at me for leaving without telling her but what can I do? Send her an owl? Tell her it’s me and not her? Tell her an overused cliché and hope for the best?

I can’t break up with her over the phone or by letter. So technically, I still do have a girlfriend. But I don’t know about that. She’s probably cursing the day she met me or something.

If she were a witch I’d probably get a howler right after I left or she’d go straight to the Daily Prophet and tell them lurid details of our affair. Good thing she’s not. It was nice while it lasted I guess. I met someone I like who knew me as Harry. Just plain Harry. Not the boy-who-fucking-lived, not the savior of the whole wizarding society, not the Harry Potter, whose stories sold many copies of the Daily Prophet. She knew me as me. And I’m eternally grateful for that. You don’t know how amazing it feels for someone to like you for who you really are.

Two days after the incident I had to leave for Hogwarts. I never got to tell her I’m leaving. She didn’t come over the house or throw pebbles at my window. I guess she was too embarrassed about what happened in my bedroom. I never even asked her address or phone number! We always just met up in front of the house or somewhere else.

Actually, I don’t know which house she lives at down the block. This proves that I’m a typical male. The insensitive non-committed one, to be more specific. It never occurred to me that I would actually need her address and phone number. Well, she didn’t ask for mine either but she knew my house. I’m confused now. She’s bloody confusing me even if she’s not here.

I am such a bloody prat! I’m going to have to ask for a Muggle directory to search for a Morgan Erihn Gere. Just my luck if she turned out to be related to Richard Gere.

I wonder if she went back to the house and asked for me. I doubt it though. Even if she did, the Dursley’s wouldn’t dare tell her where I’m going since she knows I’m the unrefined bad boy from St. Brutus.

"You have to promise me you won’t mention this to anyone! Ever! And Ron, not even Luna!"

Oh yeah, the tabloids would have a field day at this type of news. I can see the headline in the Daily Prophet now. ‘Boy-who-lived almost got shagged!’

They both looked at each other and nod their heads enthusiastically. Why would they even do that? It’s not even good for me.

"You have to swear or I’ll hex you with not only boils but boils with pus oozing out," I said roughly I admit that sounded gross but I have to put up a protective barrier, sort of threat so to speak.

"Yes already! Damn Harry! Just tell us!" Ron is literally on the edge of his seat at this.

"I’m not going to tell anyone Harry. I really don’t care who you almost shared your most intimate moment with." The last words were pretty much forced out of her mouth, I think. Is that jealousy in her statement? Nah, it’s just bitterness maybe that I didn’t tell her sooner?

I trust Hermione and Ron but this is still pretty much too personal and not to mention humiliating. Well, here goes.

"Well, err.. umm my well the umm head..." Hermione winced "err sorry Hermione..."

"Hermione doesn’t care Harry! Get on with it, mate!" He looked so eager. This earned him a glare from Hermione.

"I never thought you could be so vulgar, Harry!" She was blushing furiously.

I had no choice. I opened this stupid huge can of worms. One of the most embarrassing moments of my life and I’m about to share it. Well, here goes my dignity yet again. Gryffindor, give me strength.

"I well... the head was in but I didn’t get to push it in since Dudley burst in the room catching us in our nuddy-pants!"

I was waiting for a response but nothing came. Several moments more and Ron’s mouth was twitching while Hermione was still staring at me. I snapped my fingers to end the gawking.

"Hey! What? Say something!"

"Blimey, Harry! How come you never told me?"

"Of course Harry wouldn’t tell. He’s the perfect gentleman. Well, nearly." She barely whispered then she winked at me, inconspicuously telling me to play along.

"If you say so, Hermione." Still, she looks pretty shocked at this revelation.

"I’m your best friend!! I should know these things. Maybe she doesn’t want to know but I do! We could give each other pointers and such!" Ron exclaimed. Now that notion is disturbing.

"Eww Ron! You wanker!" She pinched Ron’s arm in disgust.

"OW!!!" Rubbing his arm furiously.

"MR. RONALD WEASLEY! Do you want to share with the class what you have been doing this past hour?" Madam Pomfrey was now fuming. You could almost see the smoke come out her ears. Ron shook his head sunk lower on his chair. He was all red to the tips of his ears. Overlapping the color of his hair was the blush in his cheeks. The guy’s a dead giveaway

"Sorry Professor. My arm just got caught on the zipper of my rucksack," He said sheepishly. Not the best excuse to give, but oh well.

Hermione looked sorry for him but obviously was holding back her laughter. She looked me in the eye and smiled. She looked beautiful then. The other thing that attracted me to Morgan was her hazel brown eyes. They have the same sparkle and vigor. They had the same pouty lips.

Fuck.

I’m falling for my best friend and she doesn’t even know it. She’s not seductive but she’s sexy in her own intellectual way, if there is such a thing. Her smile was tempting. There are people who have permanently fake smiles but hers is full of happiness and contentment, and always geniune. Morgan, Hermione, Morgan, Hermione.

Fuck! I’m bloody torn. I wish I was eleven years old again, where the thought of Voldemort was the only thing plaguing my mind.

There were boys that have planned on asking her out during our sixth year but were too scared of Ron and myself. They never approached us or asked out Hermione but you hear rumors here and there. Ron and I were prepared to give them all a hard time. Maybe they knew we wouldn’t approve since we were protective of her. Almost extremely. As far as I know she hasn’t gone on a date ever since fourth year with Victor Krum.

"MR. POTTER! Kindly stop staring at Ms. Granger and listen to the lesson! I should separate the three of you if this keeps up!" Madam Pomfrey shouted sternly.

I blinked and looked at the Madam and at Hermione. She was blushing while our teacher was furious. The others were laughing and Ron was rolling his eyes at me. I sank back in my seat and waited for the lesson to end.

"To continue class, the male organ...." she continued.

Argghh!! When is this going to end? I close my eyes and put my head in my hands rubbing my temples.

This is going to be a very long day.

AN# Thanks to my Beta, MDiezel. I love you and Stripper!Harry. Read and review guys! Thanks!

2. Oy! my pillow!

Title: Almost There (02)
Author name: Feron Sanchez
Author email: neknekmo18@aol.com
Category: Romance
Sub Category: Humor
Keywords: Harry Hermione Towel
Rating: R
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, FB, QTTA, OoTP
Summary: . Harry wakes up still confused. Ron and a pillow? Hermione deals with her wet bushy hair. And to top it all of teenage hormones in the mix.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author notes: Thank you to my beta MDiezel for her neverending patience. Watch out for her fics, she's an amazing writer. Also thank you to my grammar picker and emergency helper, Tomikin! I owe you for this

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He had the same dream again last night. It would always be a girl in a white flowing dress with her silky dark hair flowing in the wind. She was saying something to him. A black blindfold was over her eyes.

Harry tried to run towards the mysterious figure but she would always disappear before he even got near her. They were always in a dark cave, similar to the cave Sirius hid in years ago

Sirius...

Two years have passed since his beloved godfather died. He has since experienced a lot of other things in his life and everything just kept on getting harder and harder to bear. He was not sure where to get any solitude from anymore. Even his thoughts were overbearing and disturbing.

He had to find his release before he breaks down.

'Should I find a girlfriend? Maybe a shag buddy?' he thought.

He turned over so his face was against the pillow, blocking off the light coming through the hangings on his bed. He tightened the blanket around himself and tried to go back to sleep.

'No, it will complicate things more,' he sighed.

He grunted loudly and buried his face under his pillow trying to block out any thoughts that would come.

'Fuck. I need a Sleeping Draught or maybe some Dreamless Sleep potion. Anything!' He squirmed again trying to find a more comfortable position.

After several more minutes of tossing and turning, he gave up and sat up on the bed. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head to wake himself up. The moment he sat up cold air touched his exposed skin and gave him goose pimples all over. He shoved the hangings away and reached for his glasses. The enchanted alarm clock on his bedside table indicated that it was just 7:00 am in this Saturday morning.

"Shit!" he yelled.

His careless yell woke the others up and he barely ducked the hex that one of his roommates cast on him.

"Harry! Shut up! It's Saturday! The weekend! Sleep in!" Dean muttered under the covers. Seamus tried to give Harry

a glare but it just came out to be a comical expression with his eyes still half-closed. Ron, on the other hand, slept soundly as evidenced by his loud and steady snoring. Harry threw a pillow at Ron, hitting him smack on the face.

"Oh Merlin! You're so soft...," Ron mumbled as he crushed the pillow to his face

Harry couldn't control his laughter anymore and made a weird strangled sound. "Ron! You bloody wanker! Stop snogging my pillow! I didn't know you dreamt of shagging the Great Merlin!" he yelled.

Ron immediately sat up wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Mppphh? Huh? What?" a disoriented Ron asked the laughing blur in front of him.

"Sorry! Can't help it if your best friend is a horny arse!" Harry chortled.

"Sod off, mate! If you can't sleep then leave us alone! It's mine now!" he said. He closed his hangings sharply and muttered a string of curse words at his best friend.

"Oy! You better let the elves wash that or else it'll smell like you for the rest of the week! Don't want to have a smelly Ron as a pillow," he snickered.

"Shut up, Harry!" Dean cried.

"Sorry! Been having those dreams again." He buried his face in his hands.

His dreams were now occurring regularly; it didn't bother his dorm mates any more. If he yelled 'Voldemort' he'd get the reaction he wanted but he'd also get hexed afterwards for scaring them.

"Go to Hermione," Ron mumbled.

Harry's eyes suddenly lit up. He felt considerably warm just hearing her name even if it just came from Ron's mouth. He thought for a moment. Cozy bed or Hermione? He chose the latter.

"Good idea, Ron! I might give you a pat on the back later," he smirked. Ron countered with his middle finger up in the air.

He got up from his comfortable bed and went to the bathroom. He washed his face and brushed his teeth, making sure to smell fresh and clean. He put on a clean white shirt and a pair of Dudley's old jeans. Good thing baggy jeans were in style, or else he'd be mercilessly teased. It was one of his favorites since Morgan told him he looked adorable with the waist of the jeans hanging halfway down his arse. He put on the new belt she gave him and put on some socks. His old belt was tattered and looked like it was also too long that it looped his waist two times.

Although Harry will admit that he didn't care about his looks, he still carried his clothes with a sense of flair since Morgan told him he'd look better if he improved his appearance a bit. They went shopping for clothes with his saved up money. He had his own fashion consultant and it boosted up his confidence. He was seventeen years old and he felt it was time to let loose.

'Fuck Voldemort,' he shook his head and looked at the mirror. His wild black hair was unkempt as always. The

mirror let out a loud sigh at his appearance.

"What? Don't I look okay?" he raised his eyebrow at his reflection.

"You should really give up trying to tame your hair. Besides, you look good with the ends up. You look like your father."

He stared at his reflection once more and nodded his head solemnly at the mirror.

"You're so handsome, Harry! There are probably a lot of girls throwing themselves at you," the mirror gushed.

"Oh yeah, they're tripping all over their feet to get to me," he retorted sarcastically. Since when did this mirror like him? It usually had mocking remarks for him every time he would look at it.

"You should get try to get over your shyness. It's not even normal anymore."

"Yeah, whatever," said Harry.

"Oh for crying out loud, Potter! Wake up! Even your housemates are more confident than you are!"

"I'm not trying to compete with them, Zai!" He was losing his patience with this mirror. It gave the boys its name after calling it several rude ones before.

"Fine, whatever. You look good. You look fine. And you're going to be mine!" it sang off key.

"Zai, shut up. It's too early for your concerts."

He rarely conversed with Zai but this was the first time it called him handsome. He felt surprisingly good about it.

"Enjoy your day, Scarface!"

He laughed at the comment. The mirror reminded him of Draco Malfoy. At first it was awkward hearing it rant about their physical attributes but after several years of being with it, they were used to its outrageous comments. The good thing about her it was that it didn't tell others about their private business. It would seem to be a loud tattletale but it wasn't. It was loyal to every person. The only thing was that it was terribly annoying at times.

"Bye, Zai!" He gave the mirror a cheeky grin and went out of the bathroom.

He wished and hoped silently to the great wizards that Hermione would be up. It was 7:25 am and the common room was still empty. He looked up at the stairs that led to the girls' dormitories and debated inwardly. Should he attempt climbing the steps or should he just wait for her? He thought of using his Firebolt to reach the top of the steps but that might be a bit too preposterous. He grimaced at the former since he didn't want to risk his neck either.

His face was now betraying his confusion.

"Harry!" a scolding tone from above invaded his thoughts.

"'Mione!" He blushed. She must be wondering why he was stupidly standing in front of the girls' staircase.

"What are you doing up this early?" She frowned at him.

Her hands were placed firmly on her hips and her hair was still a bit damp. She was wearing a plain pink 'Free Winona' shirt and frayed jeans. Her Muggle t-shirts were the best. The other students wouldn't get it if their life depended on it. Ron kept asking questions about them and she'd go crazy trying to explain it to him. Last week she had her 'Trainspotting' shirt on with the picture of a syringe at the back. It was humorous and unique. It was very Hermione.

"Harry!" She snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Mione!" Harry stepped back slightly, surprised to see her suddenly standing right in front of him.

"You said that already. What's wrong with you? Are you sick? Did you have another nightmare? Did Ron kick you out of the dorm? Did....?" She was cut off by his hand over her mouth.

"If I don't stop you, we will never get to breakfast"

She glared at him. "Mmpf...mmpf..!"

"Oops...sorry. I just couldn't sleep," he chuckled softly.

"Oh, I just came from a bath. I couldn't sleep either," she flipped her hair towards her back.

"Your hair is still wet. You're dripping all over the floor you know."

She followed his gaze on the floor. She saw a small wet trail from the portrait hole to where she was standing. She blushed. "I seem to have forgotten to do a drying spell and it's hard just using a towel to dry this stupid long bushy hair. Besides, my arms are tired."

He laughed at her. "Mione, you want me to dry your hair for you?" She blushed at his question.

'Did she just blush at me?'

"Err... if you have your wand, it'd be easier," she said.

"I never used a drying spell on hair before. I usually just let my hair dry naturally since the end result will still be the same. It would still be all over the place," he shrugged nonchalantly.

He shifted in his place. He felt really awkward now. She was radiating this enticing aura and he felt small in front of her. Harry took out his wand and placed it on top of her wet hair.

"No, stop. You might mess it up." She forgot that she was talking to one of the most powerful wizards in the world.

Harry, with a relieved sigh, removed his wand from her hair. He has never attempted a drying spell before and had some doubts about being able to do it successfully at the first try.

She took his hand and sat him on the couch. She slid next to him and he realized that they just sat inches apart from each other. She handed him her towel, put it in his hands and quickly turned around from him, with her back to him.

"Umm... You want me to towel dry your hair then?" He sounded unsure of himself and looked at her back.

"Honestly! Harry, isn't it obvious?" she irritably sighed, her still wet hair glistening against the morning light. He suddenly leaned forward to smell her hair. Her hair smelled like a rose garden in full bloom. She didn't realize what he was doing when she suddenly flipped her hair again fully hitting him in the face.

"Ow! But don't you have another dry..."

"Oh, sorry, Harry. No, I don't but that one's practically dry, right?"

"It's fine," wiping his face with his sleeve. She turned around again.

"Harry! I'm dripping here. Just rub it dry!"

He put the towel in her hair and started gently rubbing the ends of it. The flowery scent of her shampoo intoxicated him. He put the towel up a bit to rub the side where her hairline and ears met. She then did something un-Hermione-like. She unexpectedly giggled.

"Did you just giggle?" She felt his breath against her ear. She immediately stiffened and tried to compose herself.

"No, I did not!"

He laughed at her reaction. "Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't!" She was terribly red all over the face. She thanked the gods that her back was turned and she faced away from him.

"Wanna bet?" he rubbed the same spot again and got the same result. She was now giggling uncontrollably. Her shoulders were shaking a bit and her hand moved to cover her mouth to stop giggling.

Harry rubbed the top of her head and under her hair. He wiped the wetness on her nape and under her ears. She stopped giggling and all of a sudden made moaning sounds.

He was getting uncomfortable at the situation. A moaning Hermione could bring about his downfall. He was trying hard to restrain himself from pulling her to him.

Harry let go of the towel and just kneaded his palms on her shoulder blades putting moderate pressure on them.

'"Oh, that feels good. Yeah, right there. Just up a little bit more. There. Ohhhh... that feels so good."

Harry felt tense all over. He felt all his blood rushing to that uncomfortable spot inside his pants. 'Oh God!'

She was unaware of the torture she inflicted on him. The sound of her voice so gratified was causing quite a stir in his lower body. Although he felt cruelly unsatisfied, he enjoyed every moment of it. Every sound, every movement, every scent coming from her body was intensely enticing.

"Harry, please don't stop," she barely whispered.

He took the towel and let it fall on his lap; trying to hide his reaction. He summoned all the traits of a Gryffindor in order to continue his task. Harry put her hair to the other side of her neck and slowly put his hands on either side. The feel of warmth against his hands gave him shivers.

This was skin-to-skin contact.

This was Hermione.

This was Hermione under his hands writhing in satisfaction and glory.

She was being seductive.

And he didn't know what to do.

Harry's face all of a sudden contorted into a silly grin as he leaned forward. He was about to kiss the space between her shoulder and neck when a deep voice interrupted.

"Oy! What the bloody hell are you two doing?"