Here end'th the lesson

Response to a challenge set by Nelli08

Either Harry or Hermione must be insecure about kissing.

The other must help.

Chapter 1

“Hurry up mate I wanna go.” Ron told Harry anxiously.

“Go then I'll be a while yet, I wanna get this finished.” Harry said pointing to an essay he was working on in the Gryffindor common room.

“Right, hurry up though!”

“Do you need me to hold the broom up for you or something?” Harry smiled.

“No! It's just a pleasant day and flying's more fun when you're around.”

“Orhhhhh, Ron mate, I'm touched. I'll finish this and then meet you outside, come here and give me a hug before you go though.” Harry held out it arms to a very red Ron Weasley.

“Shut it!” Ron picked up his broom and trudged out of the portrait hole still flushing a deep crimson.

Harry was sat at a table in the corner of the room, his back to the window, he smirked as Ron left and he could see Hermione shaking silently with laughter on the couch.

“What are you laughing at, Granger?” Hermione turned around to face Harry, with a broad smile.

“I love it when you do that” She beamed at him.

“Do what?”

“Make him all awkward, it's funny.”

“That's rather sadistic, Have you been hanging around with Malfoy?” he asked her before lowering his head back down to his work, oblivious to the tongue she had stuck out at him.

***

Twenty minutes later Harry had finished his essay and headed up to his dorm room to change into something more suitable for flying and to retrieve his firebolt. He came back down into the common room in muggle clothes, a pair of worn blue jeans that sported rips and holes in them and a tight black t-shirt. He made his way over to the couch where Hermione was sitting, or rather sprawling, he shifted her legs aside so he could sit down and started to re-lace his old trainers. Hermione huffed and sat up to make room for him pulling her legs up to her chest on the couch.

“Don't sulk, Hermione it doesn't suit you.” Harry told her casting a cheeky grin.

“Of all the bloody seats in the room, you wanna come and shift me out of my rather comfy positioning, bleeding typical!” She returned just as mischievously.

“Well I get a kick out of pissing you off” he chuckled not taking his eyes away from his trainers.

“Hurry up and bugger off, Ron will be missing you dearly!” Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione and shook his head slightly. “You wouldn't want to miss such a romantic opportunity to fly with your best friend now would you?” she carried on.

“Just coz you don't understand the art of flying, doesn't mean we can't bask in its glory.”

“Whatever.” she sneered at him.

“Nice come back, you have been hanging around with Malfoy. She kicked him playfully with her foot.

“Piss off - I just don't get why you guys get so much out of flying, that's all.”

“Well that's coz you're too chicken to get your arse on a broom and fly.”

“I am not! I'll have you know I fly perfectly well, I just don't see the `glory' in it as you put it.” Harry mused to himself trying to find a way to describe it to her. After a couple of minutes of pondering he slipped on his newly laced trainers and turned towards her.

“It's that thing that you love so much that your stomach just turns in knots cause your so excited about doing it.” he paused thinking about it before he continued, Hermione watching him with interest. “Like if you're with someone who you really like and they brush your hand or something, your stomach jolts right?” He asked her.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Well it gives me a feeling similar to that, it gets intense and extreme and your head and stomach go wild and you just feel like you're totally free. Like the way your stomach goes when you kiss someone you really like, for me it's a form of the butterflies…I can't really explain it, do you get me?”

“Kind of.” Hermione blushed and turned her attention to the other side of the room. “I've never really had that kind of experience though.” she spoke in a quiet voice her head still turned from him. Harry still sat on the end of the couch furrowing his brow.

“What do you mean?” He asked a smile playing across him lips. Hermione didn't answer him, so he moved along the couch sitting on the edge with her legs behind him; he moved his head in her view so she had nowhere to look. She gave up and answered him.

“You know what I mean.” she said with a blush.

“No actually I don't. I have no idea what you're talking about.” She shook her head at him and decided to make herself clearer.

“I've never had that kind of experience that would relate to the feeling you have when you fly.” she spoke slowly and quietly looking straight at him. Harry processed the words slowly realising what she meant.

“Hermione….you mean…you've never….” She just shook her head to answer his question. Harry thought about it more, they were in the sixth year of Hogwarts and Hermione was definitely not unattractive by any means. He couldn't seam to accept what she had told him as they truth.

“I don't believe you.” he said irrefutably.

“You don't have too! But why would i admit to something so…embarrassing.” she reddened again and started to become restless, playing with the hem of her shirt and avoiding eye contact with Harry, she couldn't believe she had just told him something so awkward.

“Hey.” he took her hand in his “It's not embarrassing, maybe the right guy hasn't come along, it's nothing to be ashamed of…….Wait a minute.” he stopped mid-sentence “Forth year, what about Krum, you and him had your little thing going on, Hermione you must have.”

“Krum? - Yeah right, nothing happened, I've told you that countless times!”

“Yeah - but I never believed you! I thought you were bound to at least get a snog or something.” Harry grinned as Hermione rolled her eyes again.

“Nope, nothing, I'm a 16 year old witch who's never been kissed, it's pathetic.” she told him matter-of-factly, he smiled sincerely to her.

“It's not pathetic; don't be stupid, you've just got to wait for the right guy to come along.”

“I keep waiting, but he never turns up.” she whispered so quietly that Harry could only just make out the words. He stared at her with an intense expression; he could tell that this whole situation made her forlorn; he wanted Hermione to know what this simple act felt like, so with that in mind he moved closer to her, gently turning her head towards him and began to close the gap between them. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes a worried expression printed on her face.

“What are you doing?” she asked him hurriedly. He wasn't taken back by this, he knew she would ask, instead he lightly brushed her hair to the side with his fingers and continued.

“You like to learn thing right?” he asked rhetorically in a husky voice inches away from her lips “just relax.”

Harry didn't pretend to be `all knowing' when it came to kissing, but he knew he had more experience than Hermione, he wanted her first kiss to be comfortable, and more than anything he couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted her first kiss to be with him.

He gently brushed his lips with hers, testing for a reaction, he figured if Hermione was uncomfortable with this she could push him away, but she didn't so he pressed his lips against hers lightly. He slowly began to move his lips against hers tenderly, it took a few seconds but she began to respond. Harry put an arm over her body and rested his hand on her waist his other hand stroking her hair slightly before deepening the kiss. Hermione became a little more confident and Harry could feel that intense feeling of butterflies in his stomach, he could only imagine how she felt. After a few moments Harry pulled back slightly, his hands still holding Hermione. He once again looked for a reaction, he really didn't want Hermione to get uncomfortable and the last thing he wanted was to ruin their friendship. There was no sign of this uncomfortable feeling however and Hermione just looked into his emerald eyes, Harry couldn't quite place the look that she was giving him, but it was certainly making the feeling in his stomach worse.

He leaned in once again capturing her lips; he brushed his tongue against her bottom lip, asking for permission to which Hermione respond without much hesitance.

“Mmm..slowly…” Harry spoke against her lips, as their tongues began to become familiar with the others, Harry moved delicately within Hermione's mouth, savouring every last moment of this experience.

A short time later Harry pulled back much to Hermione's displeasure even if she didn't let it show. He let the corner of his mouth hitch up into a small smile as he caressed her lips with his fingers.

“Now I really don't believe you.” He spoke hoarsely with swollen lips.

“What?” Hermione asked confused.

“You must have done that before.” he smiled slightly embarrassed despite the fact that he had instigated the whole situation.

“I can assure you, I have never felt anything like that before.” Harry smiled down on Hermione that feeling returning to him stomach once again, he was sure that if he had been standing up his legs would have given way.

“Neither have I actually.” he smiled at her reassuringly. “He freed his arm from her waist and looked at his watch and frowned slightly “I better go...Ron…he'll be wondering...” Harry stood up reluctantly and picked up his firebolt from the end of the couch, making his way to the portrait hole.

“Harry?” He turned to face her before he left “Thank You” she told him the colour returning to her checks.

“Anytime.”

He left Hermione in the empty common room where she sighed contently, smiling to herself.

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Chapter 2

“Hey what are you doing? Ginny asked coming into the kitchen with a handful of plates.

“I'm washing up.” Harry said turning slightly; his hands still emerged in water.

“Harry you don't have to do that, go back in there and enjoy yourself.”

“I don't mind.” he said smiling at Ginny “It's the least I can do after you and Hermione cooked dinner for us all, plus it's your dinner party, you should be enjoying the company.” Ginny smiled putting the plates down, she kissed Harry on the forehead.

“You're too sweet Harry, but please leave it for now come on and have some fun.” Ginny didn't let Harry answer before pulling him into the front room, his hands still dripping.

Hermione and Ginny were throwing a rather large dinner party for their friends at their flat in Kent to catch up on old times. It had been four years since they had graduated Hogwarts and there was rarely a time when they all got chance to be together but the girls had planned this evening well in advance The group had just finished Dinner and were now crowded into the living room reminiscing.

Ron sat on an armchair with his arms around his girlfriend Luna. Dean, Lavender and Seamus were on the couch talking animatedly to one another, Neville and Parvati were squashed together on another armchair talking to Hermione who was sat crossed legged on the floor smiling up at them. As Harry and Ginny entered the room Dean let out a huge laugh.

“What's so funny?” Ron asked tearing his eyes away from Luna.

“Lavender was just telling me how terrible Seamus' first kiss was!” Dean muttered out between laughs.

“Shut it Dean.” Seamus barked over the laughter, Ginny came up behind him putting her arms around his neck smiling slyly.

“Well he definitely seemed to have mastered it when he was kissing me.” she spoke making Seamus sit up smugly.

“Wait Ginny, your first kiss was Seamus?” Ron asked.

“Erm no it was Michael Corner, but then there was Seamus” she answered blushing.

“Oooo who was everyone's first kiss?” Lavender asked reverting back to her 5^th year counterpart. Harry had pulled up a chair for himself next to where Neville was sat, his stomach lurched thinking about this topic. Hermione squirmed nervously playing with the rug on the floor she had always dreaded someone bringing this up. She continued playing with the rug even thought she could feel those striking emerald eyes upon her.

“Oh fun!” Ginny retorted clapping her hands together “Well considering I told mine I get to pick who goes next.”

“Gin, you should tell us who with and where.” Parvati added equally as excited about this, Harry assumed it must have been a girl thing.

“Fine, Michael Corner, Behind the Three Broomsticks and Lavender you're next.”

“Ronald Weasley.” she said looking over to Ron with a large playful grin “Quidditch stands at school - Ron you might as well go next.” Ron rolled his eyes at her as his answer was obvious.

“Lavender Brown - Quidditch stands at school.” he said mimicking her tone “Neville mate.”

“Ginny.” he replied coyly.

“Bloody hell Ginny you get around.” Ron interrupted heatedly.

“Sod off!!”

“- erm at the Valentines Day dance.” he added before picking Luna.

Luna answered Ernie McMillan then picked Dean who answered Parvati and visa versa, Parvati picked Seamus who answered Lavender and picked Harry.

“Cho Chang - Room of requirement.” Harry answered with a grimace “Wasn't exactly a great experience.” he added as his friends laughed at his expression. After he had answered everyone rounded on Hermione knowing she was the only one left. She just kept her head down and tried to avoid all the eyes.

“Oh come on Hermione.” Ginny encouraged, “We're all grown up now, you can tell us, was it Krum?” Hermione's head shot up.

“No, it was not Krum, why does everyone always think that?”

“Don't try to change the subject Hermione.” Parvati interrupted “Who was it?”

“Well…It's …erm…kind of embarrassing.” She spoke quietly, Harry choked on his beer nearly spitting it out across the room.

“Bloody Charming!!!” He spat playfully at Hermione ignoring the fact that everyone were staring at each of them in turn.

“No! No! I didn't mean that you were embarrassing, just the way it happened….”

Harry stood up quickly holding his hands up, still clutching his beer; he began to back away from the festivity with grin.

“If I'm such an embarrassment Hermione, then I'll be happy to leave the room so you don't have to feel ashamed.” he said chuckling as she leaped up after him trying to grab him and keep him still. He kept moving out of her grip pretending to be offended. “No Hermione, it's too late you've emotionally wounded me and I can't go on.” He said as she tried to hug him.

“I can't believe you never told me!” Ginny scolded Hermione from across the room.

“It's because I'm embarrassing.” Harry shouted over the laughs as Hermione tackled him, pinning him to the ground. He dropped the beer to the floor and wrestled Hermione.

The young adults got progressively giddier as the night continued, this was probably something to do with the alcohol consumption. There were lots of laughs and stories told about episodes back at Hogwarts, the night was a roaring success.

***

“Oy you, come on, you can't stay there all night.” Harry told Hermione attempting to peel her off the couch. The last of the party had just left by floo and Ginny had skulked off to bed, it seems she may have had too much wine.

“Why can't I?” Hermione asked with a defiant grin.

“Because, you'll be cold and uncomfortable and you look like you need a good night's sleep.” Harry argued collectively, Hermione stuck her tongue out as a response.

When she refused to co-operate with him, he picked her up and carried her to her bedroom, throwing her on the bed without any delicacy.

“Ever such the gentleman Potter” she sneered at him reaching for the covers, wrapping herself up.

“And why should I be gentleman-like to you?” Harry asked sitting down on the edge of her bed. “You'll just get embarrassed.”

“Oh shut up.” she said swatting him playfully on the arm, he grabbed hold of the spot she had struck with his other arm and winced dramatically. She rolled her eyes at him before smiling fervently.

“You know I'm funny.” he said quietly, smiling back at her.

Hermione stared up at him with a strange expression on her face, as if she was trying hard to find answers to a test.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Oh come on Hermione, What?”

“You're just sweet.”

“Nothing new there then.” he said in a sarcastic tone.

“No really I mean it, you are. You're my best friend in the whole world, you know that right?” Harry raised his eyebrows at Hermione perplexed.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Oh, never mind” she said rolling over.

“No, carry on.” he lay and arm across the blanket and pulled her back to face him.

“I was just thinking about that first kiss, that really was sweet you know?”

“Ah, the dreaded kiss” he said looking away.

“Dreaded? Who's ashamed now?”

“Not Me.” he replied “It's just that kiss has gotten me in a lot of trouble in the past.”

“How so?”

“Well.” he said plucking up some courage “I always erm...compare…my first kiss with girls I meet with that one you and I shared.”

Hermione smiled warmly at him tilting her head on her pillow “Why?”

“Why? Well because…it was probably the erm…best first kiss I've ever had with a girl and I err…have a habit of thinking about it quite a bit.”

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing, but she knew he was telling the truth, she could tell by the way his eyes were twinkling.

“Harry?” Hermione propped herself up on her elbows in order to get closer to him.

“Hmm?”

“You never gave me the test?” Harry turned and looked at her bewildered.

“What?”

“Well erm…you taught me the material…but you never…gave me the test.” Hermione said in a raspy voice inching closer to him with each set of words. Harry's eyes widened and his breathing became heavy, she was getting closer and closer and he wanted more than anything to reach forwards and kiss her once again. For all these years he had never experienced a kiss with anyone that made him feel the way he had that day in the common room all those years ago. Harry swallowed hard looking Hermione directly in the eyes mere inches away from her face.

“Have you been revising?” he smiled roguishly, she breathed out a laugh before running a hand around the back of his neck pulling him to her. Tingles shot down his spine as her hand ran through his hair the intensity increased as she leaned in and kissed him slowly. His heart rate picked up and his mind was racing with thoughts.

This kiss was a lot different from the last they had experienced together. It was deeper, passionate and hungry, they had both waited so long for this moment and were both determined to enjoy it. After a few moments they pulled apart gasping for air.

“Wow” Harry managed to breath out “That was…..Wow! You definitely pass” he added cheekily.

“Are you sure you wouldn't like me to re-take the exam? You know, just so you're sure?” Hermione smiled before they both reached pulling the other in.

Shortly after Hermione fell asleep in Harry's arm, it was very late and Harry could tell that she was tired. He felt content just holding her close to him and breathing her in. At that moment he couldn't help but feel as if his five years waiting for her had been incredibly worth it.

A/N: Why they waited all those years was their business! Not mine!

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