That One Summer Night

Harrys Mistress

Rating: R
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 09/07/2004
Last Updated: 14/07/2004
Status: completed

Harry and Hermione fic. Good fluff! That's all I'm saying.

Chapters

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

4. Chapter 4

1. Chapter 1

Well girls, I’m back for another one. I just thought of this idea a few days ago and have been itching to start. It won’t be long at all. In fact, this fic only lasts one night. Kind of like A Night to Remember(Which I still need to finish) Anyway, hope you enjoy what I have so far and I’ll post more fairly soon. Enjoy!

XXX

Chapter 1

Harry Potter went on his hands and knees and looked under his bed, making sure he didn’t miss anything important. He saw a crumbled piece of clothing in the middle of the bed so he shifted onto his stomach and reached for the material. He pulled it out under the bed and realized it was one of his old shirts that he had been looking for during the past two months. “I thought I lost this shirt,” he mumbled as he shook out the dust of the gray rutty t-shirt that once belonged to his cousin Dudley.

After the dust was somewhat gone, he folded it neatly before placing it in his open trunk. He didn’t close it though, since he still had one night left to spend at the place he called home for the past seven years of his life. He shuffled over to his window that he spent a lot of his time gazing out during his last year at Hogwarts. Since he was Head Boy, he had the luxury of having a room all to himself, which he was grateful for considering all the nightmares and tossing and turning he did.

That was behind him now. Voldemort was gone and even though he still had bruises left from the long tedious battle, Harry was slowly healing. His right leg was still stiff, which caused him to limp slightly when he walked, however he could already tell it was healing. Luckily, none of his close friends were killed during the battle and he was so thankful for that. Ron had a few close calls, but he managed to survive and Harry had never been so proud of his best friend. As for Hermione…well, he vowed to himself that he was going to make sure Hermione didn’t receive one scratch on her body…and he succeeded.

Harry gazed out at the grounds of Hogwarts, the sun was slowly sinking into the lake and he could see the commotion out on the lake as house elves scurried around to get ready for tonight’s big occasion. Most of the students at Hogwarts left for the summer a few days ago, however, most of the seventh year Gryffindors and sixth year Ravenclaws stayed to celebrate the wedding of Ronald Weasley and Luna Lovegood.

Harry smiled as he shook his head. He couldn’t believe his goofy best friend would be married by sundown. It was so weird. It seemed just yesterday they met on the train and now they were adults, graduating from Hogwarts and moving on to their next adventure. Ron was getting married…that was his adventure. As for Harry, he was planning on joining the Chudley Cannons next season, ever since they offered him a nice three-year contract. Once, not too long ago, he wanted to be an Auror, however Harry witnessed enough killing and war to last him a lifetime. He deserved to have a little bit of fun.

Hermione was doing something she had always wanted to do. She was opening up her very own bookstore. It made perfect sense; she loved books more than anybody he knew. Hermione had confided in him one night about her dream of opening a bookstore, but coming up with the money would be difficult. Well, she was his best friend and he always seemed to want to make her happy, so he asked Fred and George to keep their eyes open for any open vacancy in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade.

A month later, they contacted him and told him about a rundown building in Hogsmead that was up for sale. “It’s in pretty bad shape,” George had told him. “But with a little work, it could make a great bookstore.” So he bought it. Just like that and surprised Hermione for her birthday with a deed of the building, making her the official owner. She cried like a baby. She told him she wouldn’t agree to do it, unless he agreed to be a private owner, giving him twenty-five percent of any profit. Of course, she wanted to split it down the middle fifty/fifty, but he refused and agreed on twenty-five

Right after Ron and Luna’s wedding the two of them were going to start on rebuilding and designing. He didn’t have to go to the Cannons till fall, so he agreed to help her as much as he could until then. It was going to be a great summer.

Harry finally turned around to look at his clock, telling him that it was time to meet Hermione down in the common room, since they planned on walking to the wedding together. He walked over to the mirror, making sure he didn’t wrinkle his nice robes when he was on the floor. He fiddled with his hair for a bit, but finally gave up and headed down to the common room.

She wasn’t down yet, so he made his way to the window so he could view the grounds once more. This view was of the Forbidden Forrest and Harry could see Hagrid’s hut as smoke came up through the chimney. It was funny really…that even during the summer there was always smoke rising up to the sky. He saw his door open and smiled when he took notice of Hagrid’s large form in a ridiculous brown colored suit. He then saw Madame Maxine walk out a second later and laughed when she started fiddling with his tie. They were a very odd couple.

“Harry? What’s so funny?”

Harry smiled at the sound of Hermione’s voice and turned around. “I was just watching…” The next words he was planning to say dropped from his mind, along with his heart and stomach when he saw Hermione. She looked pretty. No…no, beautiful. Gorgeous. He had never seen her look so breathtaking. Her hair was slicked back away from her face, piled neatly on the top of her head, except for a few strands that fell and framed her face nicely. Pearl drops dangled from her earrings and a matching necklace decorated the scoop of her neck. Her dress…Merlin her dress showed off all her curves and left little to the imagination as it scooped dangerously low exposing cleavage. The baby blue dress shimmered when she moved and he almost groaned when he noticed the high slit that went up her right thigh. Were her legs always so freakishly long? He wondered what it would be like to have those killer legs wrapped tightly around him…he started to sweat. Sweet Merlin he was glad he wore loose robes, that’s for sure. Get a grip, Potter! What is wrong with you? This is Hermione! Your best friend Hermione who surprisingly had legs that went on forever and a body that would make any man howl at the moon. Dammit.

“Harry are you okay?” she asked as she stepped towards him.

Her scent hit him like a fist to the gut and he couldn’t help but breath in deeply. “I’m fine,” he breathed as he started to get dizzy. “You just…wow…” He looked her up and down and laughed a little uneasily. “You look really good.”

Hermione blushed as she looked down at the floor. “Thank you,” she said shyly. “Luna picked it for the bridesmaid dresses.”

Harry gulped when she did a playful twirl to show off the back of her dress, which obviously hadn’t been finished since it exposed most of her back. “It’s…nice.” He cleared his throat and took a deep breath to clear his head. You have a girlfriend, Potter, remember? She’s just down the hall waiting for you? “Um…we need to get going. I told Nicole I’d meet her at the front gates.”

Hermione nodded as she smiled. “Okay, let’s go.”

Harry motioned for her to go ahead and together they walked out of the portrait hole and went off to meet his girlfriend of two months. Nicole was a sixth year Ravenclaw and he didn’t even know who she was until right after Christmas, when Nicole boldly came up to him in the hallway. It didn’t take a genius to know she was interested in him; she wasn’t exactly the subtle type. Harry though had other things on his mind, like defeating the Dark Lord, so at first he didn’t pay attention much.

Two months ago, she finally cornered him in a deserted hallway and started kissing him. His first reaction was to push her away, considering he hardly knew her, but then the hormonal part told him that he was mad for even thinking it. That pretty much was the basis of their relationship…midnight snogs on the Astronomy tower. They never even went on an official date yet.

Harry and Hermione rounded the corner and saw that Nicole was standing there waiting for him. He saw her flash her million-dollar smile at him, but when her blue eyes fell upon Hermione, her smile dropped and her eyes narrowed. Hermione had never been a favorite of hers and Harry knew she was jealous of his long time best friend. His first crush, Cho Chang, felt the same as well when it came to Hermione. He had told Nicole countless times she didn’t need to be jealous of Hermione, they were just friends, although tonight…after noticing that Hermione looked far better than his girlfriend tonight…she might want to watch out.

“There you are, Harry,” she said as she leaned up and kissed him on the mouth. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Sorry,” he said with a shrug. “We got caught up.”

“I’m afraid it’s my fault, Nicole,” Hermione said. “I was running late.”

“I see. Hello, Hermione.” Her voice was far from friendly.

“Hi, Nicole,” Hermione said as politely as she could. “You look very pretty.”

“Yeah, thanks.” She didn’t bother to return the compliment and turned to Harry. “You ready to go, baby?”

“Er…yeah, sure,” he mumbled as he gave her a wobbly smile. “Let’s go.”

XXXX

After witnessing his best friend exchanging vows with Luna Lovegood by the lake as the sun went down, everyone slowly made their way back to the great hall. Harry, who was the best man, and Neville, Dean and Seamus, who were the groomsman had to stay behind and take pictures. Hermione and Ginny who were the only bridesmaids stayed as well, taking pictures with the bride and the groom.

It took them awhile to snap all the pictures, since the photographer took all sorts of different shots. One with the bride and her bridesmaids, one with Ron and just the bridesmaids and Harry’s favorite was one with all the groomsmen and Luna. She was giggling as she perched upon her husband’s knee while Harry and the rest of the guys swarmed around her.

Now, and hour or so later, Harry sat at a table all by himself as he stared at the only woman he had eyes for. No…not Nicole. Hadn’t looked at her all night. Hermione however…ah, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. What was the deal? Why was he acting like this? He should be feeling these things for Nicole, not Hermione. Not his best friend.

Yet, he continued to watch her while she danced with Neville Longbottom, laughing up at him when Neville gave her an apologetic look for stepping on her feet. He couldn’t help but smile when Neville dipped her and she arched her back dramatically and they both laughed as he brought her up. Her hair came undone and was now tumbling down her back in a mess of curls. Her skin practically glowed as Dean Thomas cut in smoothly twirling her around the dance floor. He should have known all the guys would fawn over her.

She caught his eye over Dean’s shoulder and she gave him a wink that sent his stomach leaping up to his throat. Okay, this had to stop. Whatever this was…it had to stop. He made his eyes tear away from Hermione and scan the room until he found Nicole. His girlfriend. She was talking to one of her fellow Ravenclaw who come to think of it, was one of her ex-boyfriends. She was obviously trying to make him jealous. He wasn’t, but that was beside the point. He had to prove to himself and Nicole that he wanted to be with her. Not Hermione. Bad Hermoine. Nicole...good. Hermione…bad.

“Dobby? You around? I need you.”

Dobby appeared in an instant, beaming up at him. “Yes, Harry Potter, sir?”

“I need a bit of parchment and a quill, please, Dobby,” he said leaning over so he could hear him over the music.

“Right away, sir!” he said and with a quick snap a tiny bit of parchment and a quill appeared on the table.

“Excellent!” he said and grabbed the quill and scribbled the message, Meet me on the Astronomy tower-Harry. “Now, one more thing, Dobby.” He rolled up the parchment and handed it over to him. “I want you to go and give this to my girlfriend, all right?”

“Consider it done, sir!”

“Straight to her, all right?” he repeated. “Over to my girlfriend.”

“Your girlfriend,” he said nodding. “Got it. I won’t let you down, sir!”

Harry nodded and got up from the table and maneuvered through the crowd. He didn’t wait to watch Dobby give her the message. If he did, he would have realized that Dobby scooted right by Nicole…and gave his parchment to Hermione.

You like so far? Let me know and I’ll continue writing it!

2. Chapter 2

Wow! I’m so shocked at how many replies I’m getting after one chapter! Thanks so much! Here’s another update. It’s not as long, but it’s more exciting than the first. I think at least (wink)

XXX

Chapter 2

Harry slowly opened the door leading to the Astronomy tower, making sure other couples didn’t have the same idea as he, before walking outside. He was surprised at how dark it was, not one drop of moonlight was shining down and he could hardly see his hand in front of his face. It didn’t really matter; he really wasn’t planning on talking with Nicole.

He felt around for the wall of the castle and pressed his back securely against it as he waited. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he tried not to think about Hermione. Instead of thinking about Nicole’s straight blonde hair, his thoughts were drifted to Hermione’s wild brown curls, wondering what it would feel like to run his fingers through it. Instead of imagining Nicole’s perky mouth on him, he dreamed of Hermione’s full soft lips. They had looked so enticing tonight, as if they were begging to be kissed.

He took in a sharp breath when he heard someone jiggle the handle on the other side. He tried his best to think of his girlfriend, but it was no use. He saw her shadow form in the dark and he grabbed her arm and swung her around. Nicole gasped when he pressed her back against the hard wall of the castle. “Don’t talk,” Harry whispered against her lips and with Hermione’s face in his mind, he crushed his lips against Nicole’s.

A surprised moan muffled against his lips and he felt her stiffen in his arms. Frustrated, he pressed harder against her mouth, urging her to kiss him back. As soon as he felt her relax, he turned his head and plunged his tongue deep into her mouth, groaning at the new familiar taste of her. She whimpered as she wrapped his arms around his neck yanking him closer as she opened her mouth even wider for him.

Bloody hell, this kiss was amazing! He had never experienced a kiss this intense with Nicole before, he wondered what brought this on all of the sudden. Maybe it was the fact that he was imagining it was Hermione’s lips he sipped at and Hermione’s tongue running along his bottom lip. He groaned as he kissed her back, rubbing his tongue against hers in a fast frantic pace as all his common sense went out of his head and over the balcony.

Not only did she taste different, but also her scent was somewhat different, however it was a bit familiar. Weird. Oh well, he was too busy enjoying kissing her to think about it. He plunged his fingers in her hair…her soft wild hair. Didn’t she have her hair up? She must have pulled it down. She also seemed a bit taller. Must be wearing high heels.

Merlin, it seemed so different, yet so right. Kissing wasn’t enough. Her soft moans and heavy breathing was driving him crazy. He wanted to touch her…everywhere. He closed his eyes as he left tiny kisses down her neck, stopping to nip at her earlobe and flicking her earring with his tongue. She moaned when he began to suck gently at her neck and loved the feeling of her fingers gripping his hair. He imagined there were Hermione’s and he lost his ever-loving mind.

On a low growl he cupped one of her breasts and couldn’t help but notice how well it fit in his palm. She arched her back as he caressed her breast through her dress and eventually got tired of the material standing between him and soft skin. He yanked down one of her straps until she was free and he sighed against her neck when flesh came in contact with flesh. He wanted to say her name. That wouldn’t do at all, considering he wanted to say the wrong name, so he had to compromise. “Baby,” he whispered as he moved his lips back up to hers.

“Harry,” she gasped as she arched her hips against his. “Please.”

Damn! He wanted Hermione so bad Nicole was starting to sound like her. He groaned as his lips attacked hers once more, kissing her deeply over and over again as he started to hike up her dress. It took him forever to pull it up…he could have sworn she was wearing a short skirt. Something was wrong here…he should stop. Stop right now, but his mind was too fuzzy to think properly and as soon as his hand touched her inner thigh, all doubts flew out of his head.

He felt her hike up her right leg as she rolled her hips against his and he felt all the blood in his head flow straight down to his crotch. She groaned into his mouth when he rubbed his arousal against her center and his fumbling fingers pushed aside the silk barrier and plunged inside of her. “Sweet Merlin,” he groaned as he felt how wet and ready she was for him. What was going on? Nicole never responded this way to him…never made him lose control like this. This wasn’t Nicole. Bloody hell, this is insane!

“Harry,” the woman groaned as she rubbed her hips against his fingers. “Don’t stop.”

He froze. Every single muscle of his body froze and his common sense slammed back inside him with a powerful force. He knew that voice. He knew that voice all too well.

“Harry?” she whispered.

Harry slowly pulled out his fingers and took a shaky step away from her. He pulled out his wand and muttered, “Lumos.”

The soft glow engulfed them and his stomach dropped when he saw Hermione leaning back against the wall, her hair mussed, her lips swollen and bruised from his kisses and bloody hell, her beautiful breasts were still exposed for him to see. No wonder it had been so easy for him to think about Hermione.

He had been with her the whole time.

XXX

Sorry for the cliffhanger! Again! I would write more, but I have to meet my friends for dinner. I might be able to write more tomorrow, I may be going to my family ranch for the night, but we’ll see. Have a good weekend!

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

“Harry?” she whispered again as she took a step closer to him.

He stiffened as he took a step back and then swiftly turned and walked away from her to the edge of the balcony. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths as he tried to control his raging emotions swirling through him. He wanted nothing more than to say the hell with it and finish what he started. He couldn’t do that though, he thought he was kissing Nicole. That was bullshit, a part of him knew all along it wasn’t Nicole he was devouring against the castle wall, yet he continued to do it anyway.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder and he jumped suddenly but still didn’t move. He saw her come up beside him, her face glowing from his still lit wand and he noticed…thankfully…that she had pulled up her gown. “Harry, what is it?”

Harry gripped the stone railing and leaned against it as he avoided looking into her eyes. “Why didn’t you stop me?” he asked in barely a whisper.

“What?” she asked as he placed a hand on his arm. “What do you mean?”

He pushed himself up and turned to her sharply. “You knew it was me the whole time and you did nothing to stop it? Why?”

She cocked her head to the side and looked up at him in awe. “Why would I want to stop you?”

“Hermione,” he groaned as he turned away and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to keep his cool. “I attacked you in the dark.”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it attacking, really,” she said in her snooty informative voice he knew all too well.

“Hermione, I kissed you!” he said as he grabbed her arms and shook her.

She blinked up at him. “Yes, Harry, you did. That and a whole lot of other things.”

“Hermione, you’re my best friend. We don’t do things like that.” He looked at her deeply and repeated his question. “Why didn’t you stop me?”

She sighed. “I don’t understand what is wrong with you, Harry, you’re the one who initiated in the first place.”

“I didn’t know it was you!” he yelled as his grip on her shoulder tightened.

Harry saw her eyes widened and he immediately regretted his words. She deserved to know the truth, yes, but it didn’t need to be said so harshly the way he just done so. “What…what do you mean?” she said in barely a whisper as she stepped back. “I saw the message Dobby gave me.”

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Hermione. I told Dobby to give the note to my girlfriend.”

“I see,” she said shakily. “So, you thought I was Nicole the whole time.”

But I thought of you the whole time.

“I see,” Hermione said again as she shook her head. “Well…don’t I feel like a fool.”

“Hermione,” he said gently as he took a step closer.

“Don’t,” she said firmly as she held up a hand and he could see the tears glistening in her eyes. The sight was unbearable. “I don’t want any pity from you, Harry.”

“No,” he said shaking his head. “Hermione, you’ve got it all wrong, I…”

“Dammit, Harry!” she yelled all of the sudden, surprising him as he stumbled backwards. “You’ve kissed Nicole, how many times and you can’t even tell the difference in kissing a completely different person?”

“I did notice!” he blurted back. “I noticed tons of things that were different, okay? At times, I thought about pulling away, but why the hell would I want to stop kissing a woman?”

“But you sure as bloody hell stopped once you figured out it was me, didn’t you?” she said in a harsh whisper. “The thought of kissing me must really disgust you.”

“Hermione,” he said in awe as he shook his head. “No, I…”

“I don’t want to hear it, Harry,” she said as she walked away from him. “I want to forget this ever happened.”

Harry just stood there as he watched her walk away, wishing he could pull her back into his arms and kiss the life out of her. Was she really that oblivious? Did she actually think she disgusted him? He’d never been so turned on by anyone the way he was tonight when they kissed.

This wasn’t over, he told himself as he walked back inside the castle. Sooner or later, he was going to get her alone tonight and make her know how truly desirable she was.

XXXX

“Nicole, I need to speak with you.”

Nicole, who was still talking to her ex-boyfriend, spun around giving him a dazzling smile. “Oh, there you are baby,” she said and leaned up to give him a kiss. “I’ve been wondering where you wandered off to.”

Funny, her kisses had always had somewhat of affect on him, but that did nothing for him whatsoever. “We need to talk,” he said again.

“We can dance why we talk,” she said as she dragged him to the dance floor.

“Er…this really isn’t the place for…”

“Nonsense, whatever it is I’m sure you can tell me why I dance with you,” she said as she pulled him into her arms.

Harry sighed as he shook his head. “I really don’t know how to say this.” His eyes wandered for Hermione and saw her sitting at a table with Ginny and Draco. He wanted to talk to Nicole in private so he could quickly end it and have a clear conscious when he went to talk to Hermione. Luckily though, he didn’t think she saw him.

“Harry, what is it?” she asked a little impatient.

“Huh?” he said directing his focus back on her. “Oh. Right. Listen, Nicole…you are a great girl, you really are and…we had fun together these past few months, you really helped me get my mind off of things when I needed to.”

“I’m not going to like this, am I?” she said with a sigh.

“I’m sorry,” he said as they stopped dancing. “I really am, I don’t want to hurt you, but…I just don’t think it’s going to work out?”

“Why not?” she asked a little too forcefully.

“Well, for one thing you still have one more year to go in school and I’ll be traveling. It will be too hard and…”

“Luna still has another year and she got married tonight,” Nicole pointed out. “If they can do it, surely we could?”

“Nicole, that’s different,” he said looking seriously into her eyes.

“Why’s that?”

“Ron is madly in love with Luna…and Luna is head over heels in love with Ron.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “I have no doubt in my mind they can get through it.”

“I see,” she said as she took a step back. “So you’re saying you don’t love me.”

He hesitated before finally shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Nicole. I can’t love you the way you want me, to, it wouldn’t be fair to you if I stayed with you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Is there someone else?”

His first thought was to say no, but he found himself not saying anything at all, and his silence answered her question perfectly.

“It’s Hermione, isn’t it?” she said as her eyes narrowed.

Harry sighed before nodding his head. “I’m sorry, Nicole, I didn’t know how I felt until recently and…”

“Oh, I think you did. You were just too much of an idiot to realize it until now.”

His jaw dropped. “Ouch.”

“I didn’t like Hermione for a reason, Harry. I knew deep down she was meant to be with you, and I hated it.”

“Nicole,” he said as he took a step towards her.

“No, don’t,” she said as she started to tear up. “You’re not going to make me cry, Harry Potter, so just get the hell away from me before I crack.”

Harry smiled as he touched her cheek. “You’re going to find someone, Nicole.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she said as she batted his hand away. “Just go, I want to start my single life right away, all right?”\

He laughed. “Okay.” He gave her a quick hug. “Thanks.”

She gave him one last wobbly smile before turning around and disappearing into the crowd. After she was gone, he turned around to see if Hermione was still in her seat. She was and she was staring right at him. She gasped when they made eye contact and then after a moment, darted out of her chair and quickly exited the room.

Harry grinned as he watched her run off. “You can run, Hermione…but you sure as hell can’t hide.”

XXX

Okay, that was a filler chapter…I know, but the next chapter will be the last and it will be good….I hope!

4. Chapter 4

Well, it’s done. I’m so shocked, but happy at all the replies I get. Honestly, you guys are so great and so supportive! This was a fun one to write! Thanks for everything! Love ya lots!

HM

Chapter 4

Harry didn’t need the map to know where to find Hermione; he had a pretty good idea on where she was. For the past couple of years, whenever she was troubled or wanted to get away, Harry would always find her by the lake under her favorite tree. He didn’t know why she liked it so much, but now that he thought about it, the two of them were sitting under the tree when he had told her about the prophecy in their sixth year. It was their tree. He didn’t even realize it until now.

The summer breeze washed over him as he stepped out of the castle, slowly making his way to the lake. The moon had come out from wherever it was hiding and gave a soft glow around the grounds and shimmered across the water. He loved it here. He was going to miss it; Hogwarts was his first home after all. He experienced so many things here. Ron and Hermione were the first friends he ever had. This was where he first rode a broom, played Quidditch and…met Sirius. He still missed him, but his friends, especially Hermione, had always been there for him.

He had his first kiss here, too, and he smiled softly when he remembered Cho. Funny, really…back then he thought it couldn’t get any better, but after experiencing his kiss with Hermione…He was sure as hell wrong.

He saw her silhouette in the dark and the closer he got to her the easier it was to see her come into focus. She had her back slightly turned to him, so she didn’t see him sneaking up behind her. He stood silent for a while, close enough to her to catch her scent. She was beautiful and he was an idiot for not seeing it sooner. “Nice night.”

Hermione gasped as she spun around. “Harry!”

He grinned. “Hi.”

He could see her surprised brown eyes twinkling from the moonlight. “What…what are you doing here?”

“Looking for you of course.” He cocked his head to the side. “You ran off.”

Hermione sighed as she turned away from him. “You have a girlfriend, Harry,” she said softly. “Why don’t you do us both a favor and go back to her.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said bluntly.

“Don’t be silly, Harry,” she snapped as she turned back towards him. “Of course you have a girlfriend, her name is Nicole and I’m sure she’s wondering where you are.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he repeated again. “I’ve been a single man for about ten minutes now.”

Harry saw her take a step back. “What?” She shook her head. “What do you mean?”

Harry shrugged. “I mean I ended things with Nicole.”

“But…but why?” she asked hesitantly as she took back her retreated step and was closer to him again.

“I think that’s obvious, Hermione,” he said as he shoved his hands in his pocket to keep from touching her.

“You mean…because of what happened on the balcony?”

It was dark, but he could still tell she was blushing. “That’s exactly right.”

“Oh Harry,” she sighed shaking her head. “You didn’t have to do that, I realize it was a mistake.”

“It wasn’t a mistake,” he said firmly moving closer to her. “It was far from a mistake.”

“But…but that message was meant for Nicole.”

Harry smiled. “True. I told Dobby to take the parchment to my girlfriend.” Harry touched her cheek. “I should have known Dobby would take it with you. He’s been calling you mine for years.” He chuckled. “ ‘Harry, your Hermione needs to make more hats and socks for Dobby,’ ‘Your Hermione is very clever, Harry Potter, sir…she helped Dobby to get enough courage to ask Winky out.’ ‘You’re very lucky Harry, to have your Hermoine.’ Dobby got it, Hermione. He always knew you were mine. Even if we didn’t.”

He heard her sniff back tears and her voice was cracking with emotion, “But…you thought…I was Nicole,” she whimpered.

“Ah, Hermione,” he said softly as he cupped her face with his hands. “I might have thought I was with Nicole, but you were the one I was thinking about.”

She gasped. “What?”

“It’s true,” he said tilting her head up so she could look in his eyes. “Ever since I turned around to see you tonight, you were all I could think about.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “So damn beautiful it was driving me crazy.” He placed his lips upon her cheek. “I imagined you were the one I was kissing.” Then the other cheek. “I wished it was you I was tasting.” He flirted his lips with hers and nipped on her bottom lip. “It turned out it really was you and I’ll always be grateful to Dobby, Hermione.” He kissed her softly. “My Hermione.”

Tears had been trickling down her face as she sobbed out of joy from hearing his words. “Oh, Harry,” she cried and flew her arms around him in a powerful hug.

Harry immediately circled his arms around her waist, buried his face in her hair as he lifted her off the grass. He left frantic kisses along her neck, all across her face and finally found her lips, kissing her deeply as if he was trying to make up for all times he had been so blind. He pulled her to the ground, laying her gently on the soft grass as he let all his weight sink on top of her.

She moaned in satisfaction as her fingers tangled with his hair while he plunged deep into her mouth over and over again. “Harry,” she gasped as she arched against him. “Please…”

He didn’t know what exactly she was begging for, so he just started running his hands everywhere. One hand pulled her dress back down, exposing those beautiful breasts again, while his other hand traveled up her dress, desperate for the feel of her soft skin. Unfortunately, last time he was denied the privilege of tasting her, so he didn’t hesitate capturing one of her breasts with his mouth, while his finger had finally found what he was looking for.

She squirmed beneath him, moaning and gasping out his name while he did things to her with his mouth and fingers. “Hermione…baby,” he whispered against the valley of her breasts; then kissed her stomach. “I want this dress off.” He dipped his tongue in her navel and pressed his thumb hard against her clit.

She gasped as she arched her back like a bow. “Yes,” she gasped as she gripped handfuls of grass with her fists.

Harry didn’t wait another second, he had that dress off of her in a flash and Hermione leaned up to greedily tug at Harry’s shirt. They both shared a grin when he laid her back down, then laughter rang out when they playfully rolled on the grass. The laughs turned into groans when their mouths fused together and Harry felt her hands start to fumble with the button of his dress pants.

He was impressed at how fast she had them undone and his eyes widened when all of the sudden he found himself on his back. Hermione’s lips and hands were everywhere as she traveled slowly down his bare chest. Merlin, she was an aggressive woman. Who knew? When did she get his pants completely off? He sighed as he closed his eyes while he concentrated on every feel of her lips and every caress of her hands.

Then all of the sudden he felt something soft, warm and wonderful surrounding his arousal and he groaned when he realized it was her mouth. Sweet Merlin. She was…she was actually giving him a…

“Hermione,” he gasped as he tangled his fingers with her hair. “You have to stop or I’ll…bloody hell, that feels good.” He jerked his hips up and that made her bob her head faster, suck harder and if she didn’t stop now they were going to end the night a bit to early. He gripped her hair and tugged her up hard until she had no choice but stop and crawl back over him. “That was amazing,” he whispered as he looked up at her. He then gave her an accusing look. “Have you ever done that before?”

She giggled. “No. Never. Was I that good?”

He let out a laugh. “One more second of that and I would have fallen…hard.”

She grinned and kissed him softly. “Anyone ever done that to you?”

“No.” He kissed her back. “You were amazing.”

“Well…why don’t you let me finish.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” he said and then rolled her back over on her back so now he was looming over her. “I want to be inside you when I come.” He pushed back her hair away from her face. “That is…if you want to.”

Her eyes softened as he touched his cheek, then leaned down and kissed his scar on his forehead. “I want to.” She kissed him on the mouth. “Very much.”

His kiss was gentle as he positioned himself between her thighs and didn’t stop and look at her until he was ready to enter her. “I love you, Hermione,” he told her for the first time, before he slowly slid inside her. Inch by inch as he let Hermione’s expressions and sounds be his guide so he wouldn’t hurt her. He kissed her deeply when he reached the barrier, hoping it would keep her mind off the pain. He tasted tears and finally looked down at her when he was fully inside her. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she whispered as Harry kissed away her tears. “You feel amazing, Harry. I love you, too…so much.”

Harry was too touched to form the right words so he buried his face in her neck and together they began to move with one another. They made love for the first time, under their tree only dressed in moonlight. It was a moment that either of them would ever forget.

Later…much later. The two young lovers were curled up together, wrapped around in Harry’s cloak as they looked up at the stars. Hermione’s head was resting against Harry’s heart as he lazily ran his fingers up and down her back.

“I’ll never forget this, Hermione,” Harry said and kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

Hermione snuggled closer to him. “I love you, too.”

“That’s good.” Harry rolled them over until he was hovering over her. “Hermione, I didn’t grow up with a lot of love and I’m still knew at these feelings. I do know that I love you and will love you for the rest of my life.”

Her eyes shimmered with tears as she touched his cheek. “Harry…”

He turned and kissed the inside of her palm. “I want to be with you. I want a life with you. I know this is fast, but now that I feel this way I’m ready to do everything with you.”

She laughed through her tears. “I know what you mean.”

“I want to marry you…have a whole bunch of kids with you. I want it all. I want you.” He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “Will you take me? All of me?”

“Yes,” she whispered and pulled him down for another kiss. “I’ll take you…all of you. I’ll take you as my best friend. I’ll take you as my lover…my husband, the father of my children. I want all of it…with you and only you.”

Harry’s heart soared as he smiled down at her. “Then for once in my life…I am truly happy.” He kissed her again, deeply and slowly under the stars and for the second time, he joined himself with her.

“Hermione,” he whispered in her ear as he made love to her gently. “My Hermione.”