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Duel of the Hearts by Eternal Fire
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Duel of the Hearts

Eternal Fire

Christmas once again surrounded Hogwarts, and snow spread across the castle grounds. Hagrid had dragged in his customary, monstrous Christmas tree, and Professor Flitwick was levitating the ornaments up onto the branches. It was the week before break, and the students were finishing up their final exams before heading home for the holidays. For the senior students, their minds were all preoccupied with the Winter Ball, which was that very evening.

Harry dropped his books onto his dresser and undid his tie. He let out a very noticeable yawn and sat down on his bed. Running a hand through his messy hair, he pulled off his class robes and dove through his things looking for something to wear that night. Choosing a pair of khakis and a green sweater, he threw them onto his bed along with his dress robes.

He still had a couple of hours to spare, and he desperately wanted a hot shower. He headed towards his bathroom, dropping his clothes along the way.

Upon opening the door, Harry found a very appetizing sight. Hermione was at their sink, apparently washing her face. Her hair was pinned back, and a towel was wrapped around her body. As she bent over for another handful of water, the towel rode just little too much for Harry's blood pressure to take. He couldn't help himself, his desire for her ignited instantly.

Hermione tossed her head back and wiped her face off. That had felt really good, but her eyes widened when she saw Harry behind her. Where had he appeared from, and why was he looking at her like his favorite dessert? (Which she actually was.)

"Hermione…" his voice was low and seductive, and his arms wrapped around her waist.

Harry buried his face in her waterfall of brown curls and nuzzled her neck.

"Harry?" she gasped as he nibbled her ear. She let out a soft moan as his hands cupped her breasts.

"What brought this on?"

"Well…I was going to take a shower, but then…I saw you in here looking all beautiful and sexy, and I just couldn't resist."

Hermione grinned wryly and pressed her hips into his groin; she felt a warm hardness against her rear. Harry spun her around and pinned her against the counter.

"I need you, Hermione." He didn't let her respond; he just kissed the bloody hell out of her. His lips swarmed over hers, and Hermione wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Harry wanted to feel her skin against his, but the damn towel was in the way. A quick flick of his wrist, and off it went. He caressed the soft skin of her hips, following the curves of her supple form. His eager hands slid upward and cupped the soft weights of her breasts.

Hermione arched into his touch and moaned as he toyed with her sensitive nipples. Placing one last kiss on her lips, Harry began a journey down her body. He kissed a wet path down her neck and across her collarbone. Hermione inhaled sharply as he ventured lower, and Harry grinned as he saw her breasts already swollen with desire. Kneeling before her, he gently brushed his face against the soft swells. Hermione moaned impatiently and tangled her fingers in his hair.

"Harry…please…I…I need your mouth…on my…"

She didn't need to finish her sentence as he mouth closed over her right breast. He drew the hardened nipple between his lips and drank in the lusciousness of her body. Harry eagerly feasted on her succulent offerings, but he had another target in mind right now.

"Sweetheart…" he whispered and slid even lower down her body, "…I wanna drink in all of your goodness."

Hermione felt like a lump of jelly as Harry lifted her up onto the counter and slid between her thighs. His hands spread her legs, and she shuttered with anticipation as his face crept closer and closer until…

"Harry!" she gasped as his magical lips reached her core.

"Yes Hermione, scream for me…scream as loud as you want!"

Harry lapped at her soft folds sending his fiancé into heaven in a matter of minutes. He teased and stroked the hard center of her passion, and he heard her squeak as he kissed the tiny knot. Her hips rocked in time with his questing tongue, and Hermione was soon chanting his name endlessly. Her nails clawed at the counter trying desperately to hold onto something for support, but she couldn't focus as her lover ravaged her senses. He explored every inch of her womanhood almost as if he was claiming what belonged to him and only him.

"Harry…don't…don't stop…please…so good…"

He chuckled at her pleading tone and doubled his efforts to drive her mad with desire. Waiting until she was right at the brink of ecstasy, he pulled away, and she screamed in aggravation at being left so close. His fingers teased her swollen folds, but he never replaced his mouth.

"Hermione…"

Harry rose to his feet; his shorts long since tossed away. She was trembling with unrestrained passion, and his fingers continued to hold her on the edge of oblivion. He nuzzled her neck, and she wrapped her arms around him.

"Do you want it, Hermione? Do you yearn for me?" he whispered huskily.

"Bloody hell…yes…yes…I need you, Harry; I need you now!"

"Where do you want me?" he replied and nibbled her earlobe.

Her eyes were closed tightly, and she was shaking with need. Harry was ready for her words; she just had to say them.

"Where do you want me?" he repeated.

"Harry…I…I want you…inside me…please…inside me now…"

"As you wish!" and he buried himself into her hot depths.

Hermione shrieked as her body exploded into a thousand pieces. She would've collapsed, but Harry's strong arms held her against his body. She hung limply in his embrace, and he smiled at her passionate response to him.

"Are you all right, love?" he whispered and kissed her hair.

"Yes…I think so," she managed to croak out.

Harry grasped her hips and began moving inside her. He began slowly, letting Hermione regain her strength after her powerful climax.

After a few minutes, he could feel her body beginning to react once again as her hips began to meet him thrust for thrust. Her long legs wrapped around his waist, and her eyes opened to meet his.

"Hello, my insatiable one," Harry chuckled.

"Hello, my wizard of erotic pleasure," she replied with a wide grin.

He smiled coyly and captured her mouth with his. A hard countertop wasn't the best place for Hermione to be sitting, but right now, she didn't care as long as Harry was inside her. His hands cupped her sensitive breasts, and Hermione clung to him desperately as he drove her towards that precipice once more.

The two lovers climaxed as one, shouting each other's names as Harry filled her was his warmth just as her heat drenched his straining manhood.

The sweaty couple was smiling broadly at one another and kissed briefly. They were becoming addicted to each other.

"Harry, after this, we're going to need a shower before the ball tonight."

"Good, I wanted one anyway, and now, I'll really enjoy it cause I'll be sharing it with you," he cooed softly.

"And who said we'd be sharing?" she challenged.

Harry's arms wrapped around her and picked her up. Hermione gasped sharply as their bodies were still connected.

"I say we're sharing; I'm not done with you yet, sweetheart."

"Just remember, love, we can't be late tonight," she warned.

"Not a problem, now…"

He carried her over to the shower stall and inside. Closing the curtain behind them, Hermione giggled at the goofy grin on his face.

"How do you want it, Hermione…hot, cold, or lukewarm?"

Trailing her fingers along his face, she stared directly into his emerald depths. Purring softly, she squeezed her inner muscles around him.

"Mmm…I want it…very…very hot!"

Harry groaned in response, and Hermione felt him grow harder and longer inside her.

"Then you shall have it!"

Hermione could never recall ever having a hotter shower than that one.

Amazingly, the pair actually showed up early for the Winter Ball. Harry entered the Great Hall with Hermione on his arm. He had to admit it; she was dressed to kill. She was wearing a sexy, emerald-green dress that only reached mid-thigh. It clung beautifully to her matured body and made him tug on his collar to try and cool himself off. The dress was cut very low in the back and left most of her lean spine bare. Harry's arm slid up around her shoulders, warming any chills that Hermione may have had.

Not long after, the students began filing into the great hall, and the music began playing. Harry chuckled as he watched Ron spin Lavender around him as they danced to a rock and roll number. He wasn't very good at fast dances, and Hermione cut him some slack. However, soon the music changed to a slower more romantic tone, and the young wizard knew that he could handle this. He was just about to ask Hermione to dance when…

"Hello Harry," Cassandra said with a bright smile. She was wearing a slinky, blood red dress that drew full attention to her well-developed body.

"Hello Cassandra, are you enjoying your first ball here at Hogwarts?" he replied, trying to sound interested.

"Yes, it's been very nice. I was wondering if…well…if your fiancé wouldn't mind…"

'Is it just me, or did you just spit that word out?' Harry thought silently.

"…Hermione…could I steal him for a dance?"

The Head Girl regarded the blonde suspiciously, but she kept her opinions silent.

"Of course, Harry doesn't have to stay with me all night."

"Thank you. What do you say, Harry? Do you mind dancing with the newbie?" she giggled. He suddenly felt his stomach turn.

"I'd be glad to."

Against his better judgment, Harry let Cassandra guide onto the floor. The song was just beginning, and he took her hands in a loose hold. They followed the flow of students as they circled the floor, and everything seemed fine.

Suddenly, Cassandra moved in and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. He gulped silently and was forced to grasp her hips. He remained calm, as what she was doing wasn't irregular or wrong. Still, he couldn't help but feel very nervous in his current position.

As the music flowed into another slow song, Harry suddenly felt Cassandra hug him tightly. Her body pressed tightly against his, and sweat immediately formed on his forehead. However, he kept his mouth shut and continued the dance.

Cassandra continued her playful little game with him. A few minutes later, she gave him a real shock when she grinded her hips into his. This time, she heard him gulp and did it again just to spite him. Looking up at him, her blue eyes held a sensuous and almost sinister sparkle in them.

Off to the side, Hermione was watching their movements like a hawk. Ron and Lavender had joined her, and they observed the dancing couple. Hermione had gotten edgy when Cassandra moved closer to Harry, and she nearly bit her tongue when she saw the blonde start grinding Harry's hips.

There were also several males watching Cassandra almost give Harry a vertical lap dance and were jealous because they wanted it to happen to them.

Harry was not happy at the treatment he was receiving from his partner. He felt very nervous and could feel almost everyone's eyes watching him. With the exception of his feet, he remained completely stoic, while Cassandra wiggled her hips against him.

"Cassandra, stop this at once," he said firmly.

"Stop what, I'm not doing anything," she replied seductively. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, and Harry immediately stopped.

Grabbing her hand in an iron vice, he veritably dragged her out of the Great Hall. Hermione, Ron, and Lavender followed after them not a minute later.

Harry pulled Cassandra downed the corridor and around the corner. He released her hand and stared at her coldly.

"Cassandra, that was not funny!"

"What? All I was doing was dancing with you."

"That wasn't dancing; that was seducing!"

Her eyes widened for a moment but then narrowed once again.

"Would you like it that way?"

"What?" Harry gasped and backed away. She stalked after him.

Hermione, Ron, and Lavender had caught up with them, and Hermione was ready to hex Cassandra into next week. Her two friends held her back and advised her to let Harry diffuse the situation himself.

"Would you like me to seduce you?" Cassandra cooed softly.

"I do find you very attractive, Harry. In fact, I'm in love with you."

"What did you just say?"

"I love you. I've loved you for years. I used to read all the articles that were printed about you; I even have the one about when you defeated Lord Voldemort last year. When I met you for the first time, I knew that I loved you."

She stepped closer to Harry and put her hands on his chest.

"Cassandra, I'm flattered, but I'm already engaged to be married."

Her eyes immediately darkened.

"Oh, you mean that frizzy-haired, ugly bookworm that hangs on you all the time!" she spat out.

When Hermione heard those words, she was ready to spit nails, but Lavender held her back - just barely.

Harry got right in Cassandra's face and glared coldly at her.

"Don't you ever call Hermione that again! She's the most beautiful girl that I've ever met, and she has a great heart to go along with it. There isn't anyone that I'd rather be with; she's the only woman that I want."

"Please…Harry, wouldn't you much rather have me?" she purred and pressed her body up against him.

Harry could feel the softness of her body, but he felt absolutely nothing - not even a spark. He knew who his heart belonged to. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he forcibly pushed Cassandra away from him.

"Cassandra, I will say this only once. I love Hermione with all my heart, and nothing will ever change that - including you. I suggest you let go of this obsession you seem to have with me and move on with your life."

"Why you selfish bastard? Do you know how many men would kill to be with me?"

"Then go pick one of them because I will never be one of your 'men'. You can use as many tricks as you like, but you won't change how I feel about Hermione."

"Oh really…" her eyes turned to an evil hue, "…and what if something happened to your dear Hermione?"

Rage erupted in Harry's eyes, and his power roared to the surface. Cassandra actually stepped back in fear as he glared daggers directly into her head.

"Listen to me, you self-serving bitch, don't you ever play that card again. If you even think about touching Hermione, you'll meet the same fate as the last person who tried to hurt her," he roared.

Harry stormed away, but Cassandra just laughed.

"Is that a fact, Harry? So tell me…who was the last person that tried to hurt Hermione?" she snorted.

The young wizard stopped walking and turned his head towards her. A confident smirk crossed his face, and he raised his right hand.

"Voldemort…" and a fireball ignited in his bare hand.

Cassandra's eyes shot open in fear, and Harry smiled cruelly at her.

"Don't make the same mistake, Cassandra, stay away from Hermione and stay out of my life!" he hissed.

Harry closed his hand and proceeded back down the corridor, leaving Cassandra to stew in her own fear and failure.

Hermione stood in the shadows as Harry headed back for the Great Hall. She heard his every word, and her heart swelled at the fact that he chose her so quickly over Cassandra's charms. She was even more surprised at the forcefulness he showed in protecting her. She remembered the previous year and the incident with Malfoy - even Harry had a limit to his patience. And when Voldemort had attacked her last spring, Harry's power had ignited in full force, and he showed no mercy to the man who had dared to hurt her. Hermione was worried because she knew that Harry didn't like to hurt people; it wasn't who he was.

'That was why he trained me too; he wanted me to be able to look after myself; I won't let you down, Harry.'

"Man, I wouldn't want to be Cassandra right now," Lavender gulped.

"Yeah, Harry looked seriously pissed!" Ron added.

"Hermione, I suggest we go find him, or he may blow something up by accident," Lavender suggested.

"You're right, let's go!"

Cassandra stood in the hallway with her fists clenched. How could he turn her down? How could he refuse her charms? So many men had fallen under her spell…why not him? She growled under her breath.

'He's still going to be mine, and I don't care what that Mudblood bitch tries to do about it!'

She smiled evilly and walked back to the Great Hall; she needed to see a certain blonde-haired Slytherin.

Hermione didn't find Harry back inside the Great Hall. She went searching for him and finally found him outside the main gates.

"Harry, are you all right?"

"Sweetheart?"

Harry turned to pull Hermione into his arms, and she pressed herself against his chest.

"I'm sorry about what happened at the Ball; I shouldn't have let it go so far."

"It's all right, love; you didn't do anything wrong. I heard what you said to Cassandra. Don't worry, she's just blowing off her anger at your refusal."

"Maybe, but I think we need to be on our guard. I don't trust her anymore."

Harry pulled her close and kissed her long and hard.

"Watch your back, okay; I want you to be safe."

"Shh, you taught me well, Harry; I can handle her."

Hermione pulled him down for another kiss, and he didn't argue with her. There was one important thing that Harry hadn't spoken about though. When Cassandra had said that she was going to harm Hermione, Harry had felt something that he'd never hoped to feel again…his scar burning.

Author's Notes: Sorry about the long layoff. The action part is getting ready to rise so stay tuned. I have to let everyone know that I'm stepping away from this story for a little while. I've neglected my other fics, and I need to work on them as well. I'm also considering on continuing 'Curse of the Eros Potion' as well so look for that as well. Thank you very much for all your support.