The pair appeared near the fountain in front of Dumbledore's house. Hermione's eyes widened in awe as she looked around at the gorgeous landscape.
"Harry…where…where are we? This is so beautiful!"
"Hermione…this is Professor Dumbledore's house."
"Are you serious?" she gawked.
"Yes, this is where I came after I was expelled from Hogwarts last year; my training took place here. Come on, your parents are inside."
Harry knocked on the front door, and Mathis opened it not more than five seconds later.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, back so soon? Oh, and who might this lovely, young lady be?" Hermione blushed slightly.
"Hello Mathis, this is Hermione Granger - my fiancé. I had brought her parents here earlier, and I was wondering how they are doing."
"Of course. The lady had several large gashes from glass and a slight concussion; her husband had a few cracked ribs but that is all. They are both doing fine; they're resting down the hall."
"May I see them?" Hermione asked as her hands trembled.
"Certainly, Miss Granger, please follow me."
Mathis led the couple inside and down a side hallway. The older man stopped at the fifth door down, and he stretched his hand towards the door.
"They are resting in here. Please let me know if there is anything you need."
"Actually sir…um…I don't mean to impose…but…" Hermione's stomach growled, and Harry grinned slightly as did Mathis.
"Do not worry, I will have dinner brought here for you so take your time."
"Thank you, sir, for helping my parents."
"You are quite welcome. If you will excuse me then."
Harry wrapped his arm around her waist and squeezed her gently.
"Come on, sweetheart, let's go see your parents."
As Hermione opened the door, she could hear her parents' voice, and her heart leapt into her throat. They were really alive!
"John, would you stop fussing over me? I'm fine!" Melinda's voice rang out.
She was lying on a king size bed, resting comfortably, but her husband was sitting next to her with an anxious look on his face.
"Melinda, I'm not fussing; I just want to make sure you're all right."
"I am, now, you should get some rest yourself; you're in pretty rough shape too."
"No, I'm not…" John Granger countered, but he held his arm against his injured ribs.
"All right, sweetie, I'll promise to rest if you will," his wife offered.
"Fine with me."
The two adults heard their door shut and turned their heads.
"Hermione!" they both said happily.
"Mom…Dad!" Tears were streaming down their daughter's cheeks as she ran in their arms.
Harry remained by the door, letting the family have time to bask in the happiness of their reunion. A pang of sadness filled his heart as he remembered his own parents having been killed in a similar act by Voldemort. He would never allow Hermione to feel that type of pain - never!
"Mom…Dad…are you two all right? Are you in pain?"
Her mother caressed her hair and smiled warmly at her daughter.
"Sweetie, we're both fine."
"Your mother is right, Hermione, we'll be okay."
"I'm so sorry, mom, I never meant for this to happen."
"I know, honey; we're not angry with you."
"This is not your fault, Hermione," her father said firmly. She hugged her parents tightly, and they reciprocated.
"I can't believe I almost lost you two."
"We may not have survived if Harry hadn't shown up to help us," John stated.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped and realized that she hadn't even thanked him yet. Turning her head, she saw her fiancé standing by the door with a warm smile on his face.
"Harry…I…I…"
The young wizard saw the gratefulness on his lover's face, and he merely nodded his head.
"I'll be outside if you need me…" and he quietly slipped out the door.
Part of Hermione was wondering why he left, but she understood that he knew that she wanted some time alone with her parents.
"Mom, please tell me what happened."
Her daughter listening anxiously, Melinda Granger began to explain the events around the attack.
Harry walked out into the backyard and took off his robes. He was really keyed up, and he needed to work off some of his frustration. He'd nearly lost the place that had been his first, true home, and the people who would someday become his parents. His teeth grinded together as he finally allowed the anger that had been boiling inside him to explode to the surface.
Tossing asides his robes, Harry drew out his wand and readied himself. The first spell was cast, and he was underway.
Mathis had brought dinner for her and her parents, and Hermione was enjoying the meal thoroughly. Suddenly, an explosion echoed from the backyard.
"What in the world was that?" Melinda gasped.
Hermione raced to the window, wondering if there was another attack happening. Her eyes widened, as she watched none other than Harry levitating rocks into the air and destroying them left and right. His pace was almost inhuman, and Hermione felt her heart contract as she realized that this incident had hurt Harry as much as it hurt her.
"Hermione, what's going on?" her father asked.
"It's Harry; he's out in the backyard practicing magic."
"Sounds like he's pretty upset," Melinda sighed.
"I never stopped to think about how this had effected him; I was just so glad to see you two. He feels that he finally has a home, and he nearly lost it again. I think he feels guilty because you two got involved in something because you're close to him."
"But Hermione, it's not his fault," her mother replied.
"A part of him knows that, mom, but he still feels guilty. He used to use the same excuse about why we should never have gotten too close. Harry was planning on being alone for the rest of his life because of his curse as the 'Boy Who Lived', but he found he couldn't be a hermit forever. He was so incredibly happy at our house this summer, but now, I'm afraid that his guilt may consume him."
"Go to him, Hermione, he needs you more than us right now."
"Your mother is right; go to him!"
Hermione looked at her parents then back out the window at the young man trying to fight of his demons once again. Hugging her parents one more time, Hermione headed out of the room.
Harry destroyed his twentieth rock and bent over to catch his breath. He saw the sun beginning the slip below the horizon; he didn't realize that he'd been out here that long. His heart was aching with guilt over what had happened to Hermione's parents. If he'd been one more minute in getting to their house, they…they would be…
"Dammit!" he growled and picked up his robes. He tucked his wand away and headed back towards the house.
It was then that he saw Hermione standing in the doorway. It appeared that she'd been there quite a while and had been watching him work off his frustration. He turned his head away ashamed at seeming so unnerved in front of her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered so softly that Hermione just barely heard him.
"For what?" she asked and walked up to him.
"I'm sorry that you had to see me like this; I don't usually lose my temper like that."
"I know that, Harry, but it's okay. You're not perfect, and I don't expect you to be."
"But Hermione…if I'd been even one more minute in getting to your house…your parents would be…"
"Hush, my love," she quieted him.
"Harry, please don't feel guilty about this; it's not your fault. If anything, this is my fault because Cassandra came after me!"
"True, but she knows that the best way to get to me is through you. I'm sorry, it's just… sometimes I wish that…that I could give you something more than a guy who attracts every dark wizard within earshot. I just hope that you can forgive me for getting your parents involved."
Hermione's hand suddenly connected with his left cheek. It wasn't hard, but it still stung.
"Would you shut up? Don't you even think about going all dark and moody on me. We went through this last year, and I thought that you were over this by now. I don't care what happens, Harry, I want us to be together."
"But Herm, your parents…they…"
"…are fine, love, and you are the one who protected them. There's nothing more that I could ask from you."
"Thank you, sweetheart, but I still feel lousy about all of this."
Hermione glared at him slightly and grabbed his arm.
"Come on!"
Harry readily followed her as she dragged him back inside the house.
"Hey, we're not going back to see your parents?" he asked as he noticed that they were heading the opposite direction.
"No. Since it's after nightfall, Mathis thought it best if we stayed here for tonight; he's sending an owl to Dumbledore as we speak. Now, stop blubbering and come on."
Hermione led him down the hall and into one of the bedrooms. She pushed him inside and followed in behind. She quickly muttered a silencing charm over the room and locked the door.
Harry noticed the large bed situated against the far well, and he turned to see Hermione strutting toward him.
"Um…sweetheart, what's going on here?" he asked nervously. She grinned wryly at him.
"Since you don't believe that you deserve to be happy, Harry, I'm going to make love to you until you do!"
Hermione grabbed his robes and tossed them to the floor; her own followed a second later. She grabbed his tie and yanked his face down to hers.
"You're mine tonight, Potter, so you better be prepared!" she cooed.
Harry gulped as she unbuttoned his shirt and nearly tore it off him. His t-shirt followed suit, and Hermione raked her nails down his chest.
"Hmm, I always love to do this." Her voice was low and sensual, and it wrapped itself around Harry's consciousness.
Slowly but surely, she guided him backwards onto the bed. When his knees hit the bed, her eyes narrowed even further. She squeezed his hard abs, and Harry groaned huskily.
"Hermione…I…"
"No talking…I'm still persuading you."
Harry thought he would go crazy as her delicate fingers traced every curvature on his torso, but it was nothing compared to the heat that ignited in his veins when she unbuckled his pants. They fell around his ankles, and Harry tripped and fell back onto the bed. Hermione knelt down and pulled them off his captured ankles. Her eyes burned with desire, and she licked her lips when she saw the bulge in his shorts.
"So Harry…still don't believe that you deserve me?"
"Well…I…Hermione…I…"
"That's not an answer; I'll have to convince you more!"
Moving between his thighs, Hermione stroked her hand over his shaft, and Harry nearly fainted. She made quick work of his shorts, and he sprung to attention the moment she released him.
"Harry…" she purred and wrapped her hand around him, "…you do deserve to be happy; you deserve to make me happy as well; and you deserve this."
"Ahhhhh!"
Harry was at a complete loss as he watched Hermione wrapped that incredible mouth of hers around his manhood. He got another surprise when her hand cupped the soft sacs underneath and squeezed ever so gently.
"Hermione!" he gasped as her head began to bob.
He couldn't believe it. Here was the love of his life driving him mad with lust, and she still had all her clothes on! His fiancé continued to increase her torture as her tongue came into play.
'Sweet Merlin, when did she learn to do this?'
She popped him out of her mouth and proceeded to run her tongue down his entire length; Harry could die a happy man now.
"Hmm…still not convinced are we, lover? Well then, I guess I'll just have to torture you some more."
Hermione worked on him for a good ten minutes, and Harry's head was ready to explode. He was about to burst when she pulled away from him.
"Uh…Hermione…what?"
"Oh no…not until you admit that you deserve to be with me. Until then, you'll get no relief from me!" she said defiantly. Harry's jaw dropped in utter shock.
A minute later, Hermione went back to sucking on him. Harry was like a blob of goo lying on the bed; he could barely feel his legs. However, just as he was about to climax, Hermione pulled away again.
"Damn you, you little tease!" he growled.
"The torture can end, darling, just be honest with me," she challenged. Her small hand glided up his shaft, and Harry's resolve collapsed.
"All right, I do deserve to be happy; I do deserve to be with you; but I'm afraid of what will happen."
"We will face it together, Harry, just like we always have. But for now, just enjoy this."
Hermione resumed her treatment, and Harry's hands buried themselves in her chestnut locks. Her pace quickened, and his body went completely rigid.
"Hermione!"
She felt him burst inside her mouth, and Hermione did something that she'd never thought she'd ever do - swallow it. She drank in his release and carefully cleaned off his pulsing organ.
Harry was a motionless lump on the bed, and his legs were twitching slightly. Oh man, that was incredible; damn, he was a lucky guy. Finally, he managed to sit up to see Hermione still sitting between his legs - a smile on her face.
Rising to his feet, Harry pulled her up and abruptly turned her around. Hermione was a little surprised until she felt his arms encircle her.
"That was very naughty, angel," he cooed softly in her ear. She turned her head and arched an eyebrow.
"I'm an excellent negotiator."
Harry pressed himself up against her back and ground his hips into her bottom. Hermione wiggled her behind, and Harry's hands slid up to cup her breasts. He squeezed their soft fullness, and he could feel her hard nipples puckering in his hands. His hands moved like the wind as he unbuttoned her jumper and pulled it open. Not even waiting to undo it, he pulled her bra up and cupped her breasts in his hands.
"Hermione," he growled and squeezed the luscious orbs, "these are two perfect works of female art."
She blushed heavily, but her body was still buzzing with lust and desire. While one hand toyed her breast, Harry slid his other hand up under her skirt. He didn't even have to touch her to know she was wet, and his fingers slipped under her panties.
"Harry!" she gasped as he touched her nether lips.
"Hmm, hot and wet for me, sweetheart; I like you this way," he snickered.
Hermione was about to respond when she felt her panties sliding down her legs. Harry turned them around and bent her over the bed. Hermione was shocked as he flipped up the back of her skirt and pressed him against her rear.
'No way, he wouldn't…would he? Have I really driven him that crazy?'
"I can't stand it anymore; I have to have you!"
Hermione shrieked at Harry buried himself inside her wet folds. He bent over her back and slammed himself inside her. His hands reached underneath and cupped her breasts as they swayed back and forth with their moving hips.
By Merlin, why hadn't they tried this before? Hermione couldn't believe how deep he was reaching inside her; he was hitting her hot spot with every thrust. Harry's brain had long since stopped working. He was overwhelmed with pleasure as her tight hotness closed around him with every thrust.
He knew that he should stop and let her finish getting undressed, but damn him, he wanted her like this. He wanted her quivering in front of him, begging him to complete her. Hermione suddenly dropped down onto her forearms, presenting even more of herself to him. Harry slammed himself into her, and they both moaned as they were joined to the hilt.
Hermione panted his name into the sheets as Harry took her with a ferocity that bordered on animal-like. Her body pulsed with desire, and her hips drove back into him, wanting him inside her again and again.
"Yes, my Hermione, you're so good…so sweet and hot…" he growled into her hair.
"Oh Harry…don't stop…don't ever stop…"
Their bodies slammed together in a dance of lust and need. Their souls were aching to become one again. Harry hit a spot deep inside her, and that was the last straw.
"HARRY!" she shrieked as her body convulsed with force of her orgasm.
"HERMIONE!" he answered and exploded into her hungry depths.
They remained frozen in place for several minutes. Their bodies hunched over the bed; their hips remained connected.
"Hermione…you still alive…" a soft voice whispered hoarsely.
"Just barely," was the answer.
Harry pulled out of her warmth and backed away slightly. Hermione turned around and sat down in front of him. Her body was still thrumming at the thought of their lustful interchange a few minutes before. She was still half-dressed, and Harry assisted her as she disrobed completely. He stood up and pulled her to her feet.
"You're amazing, my angel, you almost killed me that time."
"Look who's talking, lover, and you say I'm naughty. You just decided to bend me over and have your way with me, hmm?" she giggled, and he blushed slightly.
Harry bent down and swept her into his arms.
"Then let me love you properly this time, sweetheart."
He carried her back to bed and laid her down on her back. Hermione smiled up at him and drew him down for a long, wet kiss. His hands resumed caressing her exquisite body, and Hermione felt his arousal poking at her entrance again.
"You're insatiable tonight, Harry."
"Damn right, I am - especially after your little stunt earlier."
"I don't mind, but don't be surprised if I can't walk tomorrow!" she laughed.
"Don't worry, love, I'll just carry you."
Hermione kissed him again, and they both sighed as their bodies joined together once again.
Their fire burned almost all night, and they finally collapsed into each other's arms totally exhausted. Harry wrapped his arms around his angel, and Hermione snuggled into his chest.
"I love you, Harry," she whispered softly and kissed his chest.
"And I love you, Hermione," he replied and kissed her hair.
"I promise you, sweetheart, this nightmare ends here and now."
"I know, my darling, I know."
Author's Notes: Well, it's been a while since I've done a good lemon chapter. I've had several people tell me that you are supposed to be able to disapparate around Hogwarts. I know that, but you must read the first part of the trilogy 'Endings and Beginnings' to understand that part. The ending is drawing near so make sure you stick around.