Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Harry Potter. They are the property of J. K. Rowling.
Ron Weasley trudged up the stairs to his dormitory. Gryffindor had just lost another quidditch match - this one to Ravenclaw. With their other loss to Slytherin, their hopes for the cup were all but hopeful.
Despite the dreary state that he was in, he reminded himself that today was a special day. Today was Hermione's birthday, and he needed to be happy and joyful for her - especially without Harry around.
Ron found that his time at Hogwarts was boring without Harry around. What was he supposed to do without his partner in crime? Walking into his room, he threw his quidditch robes on his bed and put his broomstick underneath the mattress. Ron was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't see someone pull off their cloak.
"Hey Ron, what's up?"
"Hi Harry," he replied without even thinking.
Three…two…one…
"HARRY!" Ron gasped and nearly fell off his bed. He ran across the room and hugged his best friend.
"Whoa, I need air!" Harry laughed.
"What are you doing here?" Ron gawked. "If Dumbledore, or worse, if Snape catches you here, you're dead meat."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. So how have thing's been?"
"Well, Gryffindor's really slumped since you left. We're third in line for the Quidditch Cup and in last place for the House Cup. Frankly, it's quite boring around here without you; there's no excitement anymore."
"Thanks for the compliment," Harry laughed. His face turned a bit more solemn.
"How's Hermione been?"
"Okay. She's been a bit more withdrawn since you left - kinda like she was during first year. She still talks to me, Hagrid, and a few others, but she's a bit anti-social these days. She'll come back from classes and bury herself in her books till bedtime. She goes to Hogsmeade with us every once and awhile, but other than that, she's a bit lonely."
"I know the feeling; I've missed you guys. I actually could've come before, but I wanted to surprise her on her birthday."
"Trust me, she'll be as happy as a clam."
"Do me a favor? Don't tell her I'm here?" Ron's smile turned into an impish grin.
"Of course not, it'd ruin the surprise. Tell you what, I'll talk to Lavender and Pavarati. We'll get you into Hermione's room, and you can surprise her there."
"Ron, as usual, you're a genius."
"Oh please, no applause," he laughed. "Just wait up here, and I'll go find the girls okay?"
With some prodding from Ron, Lavender snuck Harry into their room.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked as they sat at dinner. She'd been picking her food for the last half hour but not eaten any of it.
"Aren't you hungry?" Lavender asked.
"Not really, I guess I'm just tired; I've had a long week. I'm sorry."
"C'mon Herm, it's your birthday. Snap out of it, or you won't get your cake!" Pavarati snickered.
"Cake!" Hermione gasped and perked up. Her three friends chuckled, and Ron handed her a box.
"Happy Birthday, Hermione, we asked Dobby and Winky to make this for you. They baked it, and the other house elves did the icing."
Hermione opened the box and saw a beautiful cake inside. It had three layers - chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate again. The icing read 'Happy 17th Birthday from all your friends'.
"Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it," Hermione said with a smile.
"Well, are you gonna cut it or not?" Ron asked with a wide grin. Hermione laughed softly and sliced the cake. She handed a piece to each of her three friends, and they all enjoyed it.
After dinner, the quartet headed back towards Gryffindor Tower.
"Well Hermione, I'll see you later. I gotta help Lavender finish up her homework for Advanced Divination," Ron said with a slight groan. Hermione grinned at him slyly.
"Oh c'mon, Ron, you have to help her? More like she has to help you!" She chuckled as the red-haired young man blushed.
"Hey, stop teasing him, Herm, we're helping each other out," Lavender defended.
"Sure you two aren't just trying to find some time alone?" Pavarati snickered. Both Ron and Lavender flushed deeply.
"I…we…we're not…I mean…" Ron stuttered.
"Oh, go on you two!" Hermione laughed and shooshed her friends off down the hallway.
"Well girlfriend, I gotta leave you too; I have a project to finish for potions. I'll probably be in the library all night trying to finish it," Pavarati groaned.
"I could help!" Hermione stated, wanting something to do.
"Nah, it's okay; I don't mind doing it myself. Besides, I gotta do some of my homework by myself sooner or later." Hermione giggled and watched her roommate head off towards the library.
"Well, I guess I might as well go to sleep."
Hermione walked through the portrait hole. She wasn't in the mood to hang out in the common room tonight. Even though it was still early, she climbed the tower to her dormitory and headed for her room.
'I don't get it. Why didn't Harry send me anything? He knows that today's my birthday so why didn't he…'
Hermione's thoughts were spinning as she pushed open the large, wooden door to her bedroom. She went to her dresser and looked for something to wear to bed. Her eyes skimmed through the few nightgowns she had tucked in her bottom drawer, but then she happened up something that made her heart flutter.
"I almost forgot I had these!"
She drew out a pair of plaid, flannel pajamas. They were covered with red and green patches, and Hermione remembered that Harry had given her these as a Christmas present back during their fifth year. She'd worn them a few times and loved how comfortable they were. Although, when the girls started teasing her about how often she wore something that Harry had bought for her, she put them away and forgot about them. Smiling, Hermione put the pajamas on top of her dresser and began undressing.
On the opposite side of the room, Harry stood silently under his Invisibility Cloak. The moment she'd entered the room he felt his heart leap into his throat. She was even more than beautiful than he remembered. He saw her take out the pajamas that he'd given her and turned around as she went to change her clothes.
"Harry," Hermione sighed as she brushed her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror, and her eyes happened upon a small note taped to the bottom of the glass.
"What's this?" Opening the card, it read, 'Close your eyes and make a wish.' "Those girls are impossible, but what the heck?" Hermione closed her eyes and let her heart speak for her.
'I wish…I wish that Harry was here right now.'
Harry watched her carefully, and he smiled when she found his note. The moment he saw her eyes close, he made his move. Dropping the Invisibility Cloak on the floor, he made his way towards her.
Hermione swore that she could feel Harry near her; his presence seemed so strong.
"Open your eyes, Hermione," a soft voice said. The girl almost swallowed her tongue; it couldn't be!
Hermione slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw made tears appear in her eyes. She could see him…in the mirror. Harry was standing behind her - his eyes shining lovingly at her.
"Is it…is it really you?" she gasped as her hands trembled. His hands came up on her shoulders, and she shuttered at the contact.
"Turn around, sweetheart." Hermione turned around and looked into the most beautiful pair of emerald eyes.
"Harry!" she cried and jumped into his arms. She grappled him by the neck and started kissing him.
"Herm…what…whoa…hold it…hmmph…" Harry was trying to fend her off slightly, but he lost his balance, and they toppled onto her bed.
"It's you…it's really you!" Hermione shouted and kissed him again.
Harry wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Oh, how he'd missed this? She felt so soft and warm on top of his chest.
"Happy Birthday, Hermione," he said with a wide smile. Tears streamed down the young woman's cheeks.
"This is the best birthday present I ever got! Oh Harry, I missed you."
"And I missed you." Her mouth came down on his, and he rolled his girlfriend onto her back. Harry nibbled her jaw line, causing her to giggle, and then moved down the side of her neck.
"I love you, Harry." He stopped his kissing and came back up to her face. Her statement was so full of warmth.
"And I love you, Hermione."
Harry claimed her mouth in a possessive assault, and he held her down to the bed with his body weight. She didn't complain one bit. Her tongue met his in a familiar dance, and his arms tightened around her.
Hermione could feel a fire growing inside her; it was a passion that burned for only one person - the young man who was holding her. She arched into his body and moaned as he pressed against her in all the right places.
"Hermione…stop…please…" Harry groaned as she rocked under him, but she would have none of it. The long separation had taught her that he was a part of her. She needed him in every way.
"Harry…all I wanted today was you. Please, grant me my wish, I want you. When you were gone, I was miserable. I need you as much as I need air to breath. I need you, Harry; I need you in every way."
"Hermione, are you sure? Don't say this just because we're back together again?" She shook her head emphatically and gave him a sweet smile.
"I'm for you, Harry Potter - for you and only you." He couldn't believe her words; she was so trusting of him. She was giving herself to him and only him; it was enough to make him cry.
"Please Harry, just for this night, be mine…all mine." He shook his head and smiled at her.
"No Hermione, not just for tonight, always."
"Always, my love." Harry caught her mouth with a hungry kiss, and Hermione tugged him down into her waiting arms.
"Oops, almost forgot!" Harry gasped.
"What?" Hermione asked with her face flushed. He put a finger to her lips to silence her. Harry turned his head and extended his hand.
"Lochanus!" At his command, the door to the room was sealed with a magical lock. Harry snapped his fingers, and the candles on the walls went out.
"Ooooh, are you planning to keep me here?" Hermione giggled.
"Just don't want any interruptions," Harry replied and turned back towards her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled seductively.
"No more secrets, Harry, no holding back." He lowered himself into her embrace and kissed her gently.
"Never again, Hermione." He kissed her again, and the world fell away into the darkness. This night was theirs, and no one could ever take it away.
Hermione's hands trembled as she tugged the green sweater out of his khakis. Harry raised himself up off her and helped pull it off. A few seconds later and his t-shirt followed suit. Hermione ran her hands down his arms, and she felt him tense under her touch. Seeing him blush made her feel better; he was as nervous as she was.
"Your turn, sweetheart." She nodded her consent, and Harry unbuttoned her pajama top. He slowly peeled it off her shoulders and kissed the peachy skin that was revealed.
"God Herm, you're so soft. Please don't tell me I'm dreaming!"
"You're not dreaming, Harry, we're really here." Feeling emboldened, Hermione brought her hands up and open her flannel top. Her lover almost fainted.
"So beautiful…" Harry murmured, and he clutched her in his arms. He caught her mouth with a hungry kiss and pressed her down into the mattress.
"Oh Harry!" Hermione gasped as her bare chest pressed up against his. Her heart was thundering inside her chest, and for once, her mind was not doing the thinking. "Touch me, please!" she gasped.
Harry didn't know where to start; it was all too wonderful; he couldn't choose. Finally deciding to just go one step at a time, he began at her neck. He laid butterfly kisses against her skin, and Hermione craned her neck to give him a better vantage point. Of its own volition, Harry's right hand came up to cup her breast.
"Ohhhhh!!!" Hermione's body was swamped with unknown sensations as his hand worked on her breast.
"Am I hurting you?" Harry asked and loosened his grip.
"No!" she gasped. "Please, don't stop." He resumed his caress, and Hermione lay back as she submitted to him.
Harry made his way down her neck and once again kissed each of her shoulders. His lips made their way down her sternum, and he could feel her beginning to tremble once again. By now, his other hand had come up to toy with other breast, and Hermione was letting out a soft, continuous moan.
"Herm, tell me if this is okay?" Harry asked and kissed her right breast.
"Yes!" she cried out. Smiling slyly, he kissed her again but this time just above her breast. "No Harry, where you were before!"
"Oh really?" he asked and kissed the soft flesh. "Or would you like it better here?" and he kissed her small, pink nipple.
"Harry!" Her cry echoed through the room, and he chuckled softly.
"I'd say we have a winner," he laughed and kissed the hard nub once again.
"Oh yes, we do!" Hermione grabbed two handfuls of his messy hair and pressed him against her breast. Accepting her invitation, Harry opened his mouth and gently suckled her inviting mound. Before long, he had Hermione writhing on top of the sheets.
'I never you she was so responsive. That's my girl though. Always the sensitive one!' Harry moved to her opposite breast and paid equal respects. He was enjoying giving her pleasure. That is…Hermione's leg accidentally rode up between his legs.
"Uh!" he groaned and released her from his mouth. Hermione looked down at him and realized where her leg had just hit. She rubbed him again, and Harry let out another groan.
"No fair!" he gasped. She smiled wryly at him.
"All right, Mr. Potter, time for a change." Without warning, she flipped him over, and Harry nearly banged his head on the bedpost. Hermione straddled his hips and bent down to kiss him deeply.
She stretched out across him, laying her body down on top of his. Harry's arms wrapped around her, and he tried to get used to holding a half-naked Hermione in his embrace.
"Always have to be on top don't you?" he laughed.
"Are you complaining?" she fired back. He shook his head. "Thought so."
Hermione wiggled her way down his body, and Harry moaned as her soft silkiness rubbed down his exterior. Her scent filled his nostrils. It was like their foreplay had amplified his senses because he could feel every nip or graze of her teeth as she slid down his torso. He could smell her intoxicating female aroma, and it nearly drove him mad with need.
"Well now," Hermione said and licked her lips; she'd found her target. "Looks like I do have an effect on you." For emphasis, she ran her hand over the hard mound on the front of his pants.
"Herm, you have an effect on me every time I see you!" Harry gasped.
"Do I? I'll have to remember that." She petted him gently and watched as his head fell back.
Harry barely even noticed when Hermione unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants. He did, however, notice when she grabbed them and his boxers and pulled them down his legs.
"Oh my!" Hermione's eyes went wide when she saw him for the first time. Harry gulped, and his entire body turned a deep shade of pink. She turned her head away shyly, and her face flushed as well.
"Sweetheart…" Harry sighed and extended his hand, "…come here." Hermione took his offered hand, and he pulled her back up on top of him. He kissed her softly and laid her back against the pillows.
"We can slow down," he said softly. Hermione shook her head emphatically.
"No, I don't want to. It's just…I've never…you know…seen someone like this before…" Harry cupped her cheek in his hand.
"It's okay, Hermione, I haven't either." She smiled at him warmly, and he kissed her for encouragement.
Hermione guided his hands to her waist, and Harry pulled off her flannel pants. He looked down at the soft, white panties covering the last hidden part of her. She looked so sweet and innocent like this - an angel in every sense of the word. By now, he was trembling as well, but his hands moved back up, and before he lost his nerve, removed her underwear.
Hermione blushed deeply as she saw his eyes traveling over her body. She'd never let a man see her like this before. She could see the desire burning brightly in his emerald pools but alongside it was the love and compassion that he felt for her.
Harry wanted to drop to his knees and thank God for giving him this beautiful woman. She was exquisite - positively breathtaking. Instinctively, his hips pressed down into hers, and they both let out low moans.
"Make love to me, Harry." He gulped inaudibly but lowered his hips into the soft cradle of her thighs. Pressing himself against her entrance, his head swooned as he felt her warmth simmering under the surface of her skin.
"Are you sure you want this?" Harry asked one last time. Hermione smiled and caressed his face. She pulled him down and gave him a kiss that he would never forget; it was all he needed.
With as much tenderness as he had, Harry carefully pushed into her waiting body. Hermione closed her eyes in wonder as a slew of feelings washed over her. She could feel her body spreading to welcome him inside her, and it felt like she was welcoming him home. Suddenly, she realized…she was. She was welcoming her hero home into her arms forever. Never again would she let him be alone.
Harry was worried that it would hurt their first time. He met a little resistance inside her, but it easily gave way, and at last, he was completely sheathed inside her.
Hermione felt it when her virginity gave way. It had hurt a little bit, but it was nothing compared to feeling of having Harry completely inside her. Her final wall had crumbled; she was his now - always.
"Are you okay?" he asked, kissing her cheeks and watching for any signs of pain.
"I'm fine, Harry, no more worries. You won't hurt me; I promise you that."
Her words brought him encouragement, and the last of his fears faded at the love shining in her eyes. He was hers now - totally and completely.
"I love you, Hermione Granger."
"And I love you, Harry Potter." Wrapping his arms around her, he slowly began to move within her.
It was like a dance as they moved together - sometimes he led, and she followed, while other times, she led, and he followed.
'God Potter, this has to be what heaven feels like!' Harry thought himself as he thrust in and out of her tight channel. Her mouth rarely left his as they made love like it was their last night on Earth.
Hermione felt tears forming in her eyes, and she cried into his mouth. It was so wonderful; he was so wonderful!
"Oh gosh, why are you crying? Am I hurting you?" Harry gasped in horror.
"No…uh…no Harry, I'm just so…so happy. This is so perfect!" Her words nearly made him fly.
As much as the two of them wanted to remain in their heated paradise for eternity, nature had designed even this to have its limits. With one last deep thrust, Hermione exploded in his arms.
"HARRY!" she cried for the whole world to hear. Her body shuttered, and she drenched his shaft in liquid heat. It was too much for the young man to handle.
"HERMIONE!" he moaned. As her name formed on his lips, he spilled himself inside of her, pouring his life into the woman who was his life.
Later that night, Pavarati and Lavender returned to their room. Upon touching the door handle, Lavender felt a shock on her hand, but the old wooden door creaked and opened for them.
"What was that?" she gasped.
"I don't know," Pavarati replied.
Entering their room, the two girls prepared to hit the sack when Lavender caught sight of something that made a smile spread across her face.
"Look!" she whispered to her friend. Lavender turned her head, and her eyes widened.
There lay Harry and Hermione wrapped up in her blankets; their faces displaying a look of complete and utter contentment. Hermione had her head on his shoulder, and Harry's arms were wrapped tightly around her. The sheets came up to just below Hermione's shoulders, and Harry's chest was partially bare. It was quite apparent to the two girls what had happened here tonight.
"They look so cute!" Pavarati giggled.
"Yeah, it's about time," Lavender said with a warm smile.
Harry's head shifted, and his eyes opened halfway. They shot open when he saw the two girls standing there with wide grins on their faces. Raising his eyebrows in question, he merely returned their grin and snapped his fingers. Two curtains magically appeared and slid shut in front of Hermione's bed, effectively barring any prying eyes from peeping in.
"What was that?" a half-awake Hermione asked. Harry kissed her forehead and buried his face in her hair.
"Nothing sweetheart, go back to sleep." She immediately complied, and he couldn't help but join her.