Chapter 12: The Blues
Hermione had noticed Harry's anticipation and had been teasingly pestering him for an explanation all week. Harry would just laugh and say, "You'll see soon enough" which just made her more determined to find out. Harry held out though and when he kissed Hermione 'good morning' on Wednesday he told her he had set up something special for lunch and he wanted her to meet him at the Room of Requirement. She shot him a bemused smirk which made him chuckle and add, "Trust me."
Harry had spoken to Dobby on Monday and Dobby had agreed to help him. Agreed? The house elf had literally quivered with delight when Harry had asked for his help. By the time Harry was finished outlining his plan, Dobby was bouncing with glee and assuring Mr. Harry Potter that Dobby would take care of everything. Harry had checked on Dobby's preparations last night. Everything was ready.
Harry found it hard to concentrate on his classes that morning. But he somehow managed to get through Charms and Evocation without injuring himself or anyone else. Finally it was lunchtime. Harry practically dragged Hermione up to the Room of Requirement. They were slightly out of breath as they reached the door. Dobby must already be inside Harry thought. He smiled at Hermione and said, "This is my surprise" and he opened the door. Harry wasn't sure what Hermione was expecting but her gasp let him know she was pleased. The door had opened into a shaded loamy earthed forest enjoying a bright spring day. "The classroom that was set up for Professor Firenze gave me the idea. There should be a pond a little way in. Dobby should have set up our picnic there. Happy Valantines Day, Hermione."
"Oh Harry, it's beautiful," Hermione said as she stepped inside.
Harry took her arm and led her towards the pond and their lunch. When they came upon the setting where they were to picnic, they both stopped for a moment at the sight. A large red blanket with gold trim was laid out on the short green shoots of new grass. A light simple meal of sandwiches and fruit was on a tray at the edge of the blanket next to which sat a silver bucket containing ice and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. A smaller silver tray held several bottles of butterbeer and a selection of miniature pastries. A short distance away, a sheltered pond twinkled in the sunlight. Unseen birds called greetings to one another in the trees. "Its lovely," Hermione breathed.
Harry silently agreed with her. He took her hand and led her to the blanket. Harry was just about to flop down and help himself to a sandwich when he realized that Hermione had removed her robes and was now taking off her trainers and socks. Harry looked at her puzzled for a moment and she said, "That pond looks inviting. Care to join me?"
Harry shucked his robe, trainers and socks. He rolled up his trousers and jogged over to catch up with Hermione who had already started to wade out into the water. Harry stepped tentatively into the refreshingly cool water. The bottom of the pond was covered with large flat stones that were thankfully not slippery. He looked up to see which direction Hermione had gone and a terrific splash of water drenched him from head to toe. Harry wiped off his glasses and saw Hermione a few feet away holding her wand and doubled over with laughter. Harry drew his wand with mock seriousness. "Oh you'll pay for that, my dear," he said as he began stalking forward. With a squeal of laughter, Hermione turned and ran. The chase was on!
Several minutes later, winded and dripping wet, Harry and Hermione made their way back to the blanket. When they got there, Harry removed his jumper and hung it over a low tree branch to dry. "That's a good idea" Hermione said and followed suit.
She didn't stop there. Her blouse and skirt quickly followed her trainer into the branches. Harry's mouth went dry as he took in the sight of her dressed only in her powder blue bra and panties. He quickly removed his shirt and trousers and quickly hung them near his trainer. He turned to find Hermione staring at him unashamedly. "You're so beautiful", Harry whispered.
They stood for a moment smiling at each other. Then they reached out for one another and melted into a passionate embrace. Harry held Hermione to him fiercely. Somehow they made it onto the blanket without falling. Once there they became, if possible, even more impassioned. Harry tossed his glasses aside and ran his hands over Hermione's skin and marveled at its softness. His caresses became bolder and his hands roamed freely over Hermione's delicate frame. Hermione's hands were equally busy exploring his body. The feel of her hands on his neck, his back, his chest were making him giddy with desire.
They kissed for a few moments more, then broke apart with quiet giggles. They unashamedly ate their lunch as they were. Harry could not help but stare at Hermione as they ate and chatted. He was sure that she had never looked more beautiful than she did at that moment. Her hair was slightly disheveled, cheeks still slightly flushed from their romp through the pond and her eyes sparkling.
They were soon back in each others arms. Kissing, touching, nibbling. Harry found Hermione making a sound like a cat purring as he nibbled his way up from her collar bone along her neck and up to her ear. The sound made him bolder and he ran a hand from her hip over her stomach and up to cup one of her firm breasts. Detecting no signs of resistance, Harry decided to press his luck. As he kissed her, he maneuvered so that he was on his back and Hermione was partially on top of him. Slowly he ran his hands over her back pulling her to him and kissing her deeply. His trembling hands reached for the catch on her bra. He kept expecting her to pull away but she didn't. Harry was trying to unhook this last restraint that kept him from the glory of her breasts but the garment just wouldn't cooperate. He pulled. He twisted. Nothing worked. He knew it would only be a matter of time before Hermione became agitated by his fumbling. He wondered where his wand was and weather or not he could cast a spell discreetly enough for her not to notice. He concentrated as hard as he could while Hermione was softly biting his neck and murmured, "Alohomora", into her hair.
"What did you say?"
Harry immediately abandoned his attempts to remove Hermione's bra. "Oh er, nothing" he stammered.
Hermione propped herself up on one elbow and looked down at him. "Well, it sounded like you said something." She kissed him then suddenly. "Thank you for making today special."
"You're welcome, Hermione." He stared into her brown eyes as he reached out to cup her cheek and pull her to him. "I love you".
"I love you too, Harry"
Those words echoed in Harry's mind and he missed whatever else Hermione had said to him. He just wanted to stay there forever, with her. But Hermione obviously had other plans. She stood up and began checking to see if their clothes were dry.
Hermione dressed quickly and Harry, remembering that their classes were not over for the day, stood and dressed as well. By the time they made it to the door, Harry was feeling a deep sense of disappointment in the pit of his stomach. One last kiss and they opened the door to return to class. "I left my books in the Common Room," Harry said. "I'll meet you in Transfigurations."
"Ill wait …" she began.
But Harry stopped her. "There's no sense in both of us being late. Go on, I'll catch up." Hermione smiled, kissed his cheek and left for class.
Harry never made it to Transfigurations class. In fact, he had no idea how he had made it back to his bed. He lay there in a fetal position gritting his teeth and just hoping to survive the alternating agony and nausea. Harry was no stranger to pain but this was an entirely new experience. He hurt but he had no idea why. Harry had thought at first that he was suffering from a malicious hex someone had hit him with but quickly discarded the idea when he realized that no one had been anywhere near him when the pain began. So Harry lay in his bed hoping that he could speak with Ron before things worsened. Luckily, the pain had begun to diminish after a while but even so he hardly noticed when the door opened and Ron softly called, "Harry, you in here?"
Harry opened the curtains on his bed just enough to see Ron, "Yeah."
Ron closed the door, crossed the room and sat on the edge of his bed facing Harry. His face was tight with concern. "Are you OK, mate? Do you want me to get someone?"
"No!" Harry groaned as a jolt of pain lanced through his abdomen. "I don't want anyone else to see me right now."
"Is there anything I can do? What's the matter anyway? Hermione was going spare when you never showed for class. We thought you got jumped by Malfoy or something."
"I don't know what's wrong with me," there was a note of panic in Harry's voice now. "All I know is that I just want the pain to go away."
Ron leaned forward, "Well, where does it hurt?"
Harry flushed and looked at his friend. "It feels like I was kicked, you know, in the worst place."
"Are you sure you don't want me to help you down to the Hospital wing?"
"Look Ron," Harry stated in an irritated tone. "I can't go down there to see Madam Pomfrey. What do you want me to do, whip out my wedding tackle when she asks me to show her where it hurts?"
Ron smiled suddenly. "OK, calm down. No hospital wing. I think I know what's wrong. Tell me, where did you and Hermione go for lunch?"
"We went on a picnic in the Room of Requirement."
"Uh-huh, and you guys were fooling around?"
"Yeah a bit." Harry was getting irritated again. "What's your point?"
"Look I'm not trying to pry, Harry. I'm trying to help you. Just bear with me. Let's see, how do I put this nicely? Did she, I mean did you, you know?"
"No. What's that got to do with it?" Harry groaned. He looked up at Ron to see him standing and facing away from him. Ron's shoulders shook with silent laughter. "What? What is it?"
Ron turned and wiped a tear from under his eye. "You, my friend, have got a severe case of Blue Balls."
Harry groaned, "What do I do? Can you help me?" Harry curled up tighter in agony.
Ron shook his head and stepped further away. "You're my best friend Harry but there's nothing I can do about this. Unfortunately, at this point there's nothing to do but wait. It'll go away eventually."
There was a sudden knock on the door. "Ron, is Harry in there? Harry, are you OK?" Hermione called.
Harry's eyes widened in panic and he tried to sit up but the sudden movement caused a new wave of pain and nausea to sweep through him. He collapsed back onto the bed groaning. "Ron, help me." Harry hissed desperately.
"Do you want me to tell her what's wrong with you?" Ron asked softly, an evil grin on his face.
"Ron, please!"
"OK, OK. I'll think of something" he whispered. He walked over to the door and quickly stepped through closing the door behind him.
Harry heard the murmur of Ron and Hermione's voices, but try as he might, he couldn't make out what they were saying. A few moments later, Ron came back in and knelt beside Harry's bed. "I told her you have a stomach virus and that you'd already been to see Madame Pomfrey who told you to rest and have plenty of fluids. Don't worry Harry. You'll be fine in an hour or so." Ron was smiling again.
"You're not going to tell anyone about this, are you?"
Ron smirked at Harry, "Of course not, don't be a prat!"
"Thanks Ron. I owe you one, I mean it."
"Can I get you anything before I go? Ice? Books? Drink? Hooker?" Harry grunted and Ron moved to the door. "I'll be back to check on you later. Hang in there, mate. You'll be OK." Ron walked out closing the door on Harry's pained moan.