Unofficial Portkey Archive

Family Ties

Chapter 8

The next day was spent in the dining room. Splatters of paint and chunks of plaster covered the floor and the three hardworking people in the room. Of course the majority of the paint ended up on the floor, but during the course of horseplay, Hermione ended up with more paint on her face and clothes courtesy of one Harry Potter. Artemis joined in the fun briefly, but excused himself when Harry and Hermione's actions reminded him so much of his parents. Instead of talking to them however, he went to his room and brooded.

Harry and Hermione were oblivious to the sudden mood change in Arty. They'd already concluded that he'd accepted their new roles and his new place within their family structure. They accepted his excuse readily when he told them he felt tired and wanted to wash up and take a nap. Harry and Hermione continued their horseplay, which to the more observant eye could be easily seen as foreplay.

Dobby interrupted their fun soon after Arty left them alone. He and Winky had been summoned immediately after Harry, Hermione and Arty decided to stay at Godric's Hollow. "Excuse me sir," Dobby loudly said after they'd ignored his many attempts of clearing his throat to gain their attention.

"Sorry, Dobby, did you need something?" Harry let out in between chuckles. Dobby seemed a bit embarrassed for yelling at his master.

"Sorry, to interrupt, Harry Potter, sir, but dinner is ready to be served, it is. Way passed dinner time, sir."

Harry looked at his time piece and confirmed that it was already passed dinner time. They'd been enjoying themselves so much they didn't notice the time or the loud growling of their stomachs. They heard them loud and clear though after Dobby mentioned dinner. With a bit of disappointment but fond memories of the hours that past, they decided to wash up for dinner.

"I suppose, we'd better get cleaned up, then," Hermione said. She wanted their fun to continue. She liked seeing Harry in his playful state. He looked so relaxed and happy very far removed from his mostly serious and worried state of mind. She knew that the Order had been keeping him busy and the weight of the world seemed to once again fall on his shoulder.

His shoulder. She remembered how often she'd dreamt of his broad, well defined shoulders. He was a wonderful specimen of a man and every time she looked at him, she needed to hold her own hands to keep them from running them through his hair and just touching where she pleased.

She thought about him some more while she showered. She hadn't forgotten about their first time together. She could still feel his caresses as if he were still touching her. She turned the water to cold to oust the fire she'd kindled within herself. She didn't know how she was going to spend the whole two weeks in the same house with Harry without going insane.

After dinner, while sitting in the parlor and going over tomorrow's task, Arty excused himself once again when it looked as if they'd all decided on the color scheme for the living room and the furniture for the dining room.

"I think I'll turn in now," Arty told them.

"Okay, sweetie, you get ready for bed and we'll come tuck you in," Hermione answered. Arty wanted to tell her not to bother that he was a big boy, but he didn't want to make a big deal out of it. He wanted to let them keep believing that he was all right even though hadn't fully accepted his new life. He was biding his time. He knew that it was a matter of time before they let him go back to his relatives or just give up on him. He wanted to be ready for all possibilities. He concluded that his parents would have recognized that something was bothering him, but Harry and Hermione had no clue. Maybe they just didn't care as much as they said, he thought.

"Sure," Arty answered.

"Tell you what, Arty. Since you'd worked so hard today, you can sleep in a bit tomorrow," Harry put in misinterpreting Arty's change in mood as fatigue. Arty also misinterpreted Harry's meaning. He thought he was already starting to slowly weed him out of the equation. He knew words were not enough. Niceties were not enough. He walked back to his room and sulked some more.

When Harry and Hermione went up to his room to tuck him in, he feigned sleep. Hermione still kissed his forehead goodnight while Harry pulled up the covers to his shoulders. When they left, Arty opened his eyes and let his tears fall. He missed his parents immensely. The touch of Hermione's lips on his forehead reminded him more of things that he would never experience again. He was sure that given time, they'd stop that too.

He shut his eyes and dreamt of his parents and his former life with them.

Harry and Hermione decided to go into the library for a bit of light reading. They each wanted to stay in the other's company longer, but they were just too stubborn to admit it to each other. They walked in and picked any random book from the shelf. Hermione curled up in the arm chair near the fireplace and Harry sat in the other. It was reminiscent of their Hogwarts years in the Gryffindor common room.

Neither focused on the book in front of them, but rather kept stealing glances at the other. As soon as the Harry turned his eyes toward Hermione, she'd immediately turn her eyes back to the book in front of her. Harry did the same thing. Harry couldn't stand it any longer. He wanted her and he wanted her right there and then. He walked a few paces and crouched in front of her. He gently took the book she was holding, which to his surprise was upside down.

"We need to talk," he started.

"Harry,"

He held his finger to her lips, "Shh," he whispered. He took her hand and brought her to her feet. "We need to talk," he repeated, "but not right now." He claimed her lips and started kissing her with the passion and frustrations he'd been harboring within his being since they first made love. Hermione let out a moan.

She couldn't believe it was happening again. She couldn't believe she wasn't stopping it. She couldn't believe how much she missed his touch, his lips, him. She was floating it seemed and her body had a mind of its own. She felt Harry touch her breast. She gasped, and then let out a moan.

Harry drove full speed ahead. He wanted to show Hermione that the first time wasn't in response to grief. He wanted to let her know that he wanted her and in a bad way. His hands explored her body freely and she let him. What he was afraid of, that in Hermione's part it was out of grief. However, her responses to him proved otherwise. He knew she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. There was no doubt in his mind that their feelings were mutual.

He let everything go. No holds barred. His body, mind, heart and soul poured out into every kiss, every touch.

She was lost. Her practical mind that used to scream at her to think of the consequences was shut up by her heart. Every touch she felt seemed to heighten her senses three fold. She weaved her hand through his hair and reveled in the kiss and the caresses freely.

He lifted her up and carried her across the hall to the master bedroom. Without breaking the kiss and his stride, he'd managed to close the door and mutter a silencing charm. He continued to lavish her as he removed her clothing. He worshipped each and every inch of her with a kiss.

Hermione's body tingled all over as Harry continued his ministrations. She was possibly experiencing the best lovemaking since the first time she and Harry came together. But this time they weren't rushing. Each touch and caress were slow and gentle.

When they joined it was as if the world stood still around them. Engulfed in the sensations and emotions of their union they reached their peak together like a well orchestrated dance.

Sated and emotionally drained they lay together in the dark. They weren't asleep, but each was too engulfed in aftermath of their passions. Each didn't really want to broach the subject of what their relationship meant. They were both too afraid that the other would not feel the same.

"Harry?" Hemione started.

"Hmm?"

"Maybe we should have that talk now?"

"Okay," he answered and placed a gentle kiss at the base of her neck. It sent shiver up her spine and instantaneously affected her erotically.

"If you keep doing that, I won't be able to think."

"Do what? This?" He placed another kiss and she let out a moan that drove him half mad. He turned her around to face him and kissed her lips instead. She moved her way atop him without breaking contact. He slipped inside her and once again they were in the throes of passion.

Talking didn't seem as important then. As they lay in the after glow of another passionate tumble, they fell fast asleep.

After a few hours, Harry woke with a start. When he felt Hermione still lying beside him fast asleep he felt himself relax. He smiled and closed his eyes once more. Then he felt Hermione stir awake.

Hermione didn't want to wake Harry, but when she turned and saw those brilliant emerald eyes staring back into her caramel eyes, it was too late. She planned to slip away quietly partly to avoid the talk they needed to have and partly to avoid the apology like the first time.

"Were you planning on sneaking off?" Harry asked her. He was amused that after the time they'd just shared, she would still blush and pull up the sheet to cover her body.

"No. I didn't want to wake you. I just thought it was best that I get back into my own room. For Arty's sake you know." It was true. She didn't want to set a bad example especially to a very impressionable young person, but mostly because she was still afraid to face up to the meaning of their relationship.

"You're right. I suppose it's for the best, but don't think I like it." He wanted to make sure she knew that he was only going along with her decision also for Arty's sake. But that made him think a bit. He knew of one way to ensure Hermione's place in his bed and in his life.

"I'd better go before he wakes up, then."

"Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Will you do something for me, please?"

"You know I would do just about anything for you, Harry. What is it?" Her heart started to pound. Here was the rejection she'd been dreading ever since the first time she slept with him.

"Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

A/N:

There you go. Hope you liked this chapter. It's dedicated for all you H/Hr fans. It's a little short, but I wanted to end it there.

I couldn't resist the geography lesson. Below are the facts of what became of the continent of Australia. It is now Australia/Oceania together.

OCEANIA, the smallest continent, is one of the most diverse and fascinating areas on the planet.

A large percentage of geography experts now consider the long-established continent of Australia to be more accurately defined as Australia/Oceania.

Collectively it then combines all of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, as well as the thousands of coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific Ocean, including the Melanesia and Polynesia groups.

Oceania also includes Micronesia, a widely scattered group of islands that run along the northern and southern edges of the Equator.

Continent Size:

8,112, 000 sq km

3,132,059 sq mi

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