Harry Potter and the Full-Blood Prince
By Ftmble 1
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Spoilers: Books 1-5
A/N: Yes, I know it's been over three months since I last posted to this story. Yes, I know that many of you will have to go back and read the first 10 chapters to remember what's been happening, and I may have lost some readers because of the length of time between postings. From the reviews I've gotten, there are a few folks out there who believe this is a good story and I humbly ask for your consideration in rereading ch. 1-10 if so needed. Please forgive me that real life sometimes gets in the way. I promise to have this story complete before July 16!!!
Also, for those folks asking for longer chapters, I noticed that this comment only came from non-authors (or at least folks who did not post links to their stories on their profiles). I'm fully aware that there are some super talented folks on PK that write great long chapters. I am not one of them, but I work hard to make my chapters high on quality (which may result in low quantity). Again, I ask for your understanding.
This chapter is what takes place the night after the trio's day and evening in Edinburgh. It's more of a transition chapter, not a lot of plot development, but high on the fluff factor. I've also reposted this to correct those pesky grammatical errors. Next chapter should have more plot (and not take as long to post either).
Chapter 11
Too soon for Harry they were back in front of Hermione's flat with the car. Hermione was fast asleep in his arms.
"Do you mind taking us around the corner to my flat?" Harry's flat was a little more spacious than Hermione's and had a fireplace. Tonight was going too well for him to stop it now.
The driver brought them to Harry's flat. Harry had to stir Hermione a bit to get at his wallet.
"Hmm.. are we here already? " Hermione's eyes were still closed.
"Shhh…I'm taking care of it." Harry kissed her hair as he paid the driver.
"Mmm…" Hermione lifted herself up, but kept her eyes closed.
They both got out of the car, but Harry kept his arms around Hermione and she kept her head on his shoulder, not really noticing where they were. It wasn't until they got to Harry's front door that she noticed it wasn't hers.
She lifted her head. "This isn't my flat."
"I know, but we need to talk, and I have a fireplace in case we need to floo Headquarters." And I want you on my own territory, Harry added silently.
Hermione became fully awake. "Harry, you won't believe who was at the library!"
Harry put his finger to her lips and opened the door. Once they got inside he placed a silencing charm over the front door and made his way throughout the flat.
He made his way back to Hermione who was in the foyer still. "Come in and get warm." And he led her into the living room.
Near the fireplace was a set of overstuffed furniture - sofa, overstuffed chair and a rocking chair. Hermione chose the sofa and put her feet underneath her and Harry started the fire.
"Be right back." And he went into the kitchen.
A few minutes later he came back out with two hot cocoas.
"I made them Irish if that's okay?"
Hermione took a sip and tasted the mint "Harry Potter, if I didn't know any better, I would think you're trying to get me liquored up."
He smirked as he sat down next to her. "Maybe, maybe not."
Hermione fixed him with one of her looks. She shook her head, "is it safe to talk now?"
Harry nodded.
"Draco was at the library this morning."
"I saw him too. After lunch. I followed him under my invisibility cloak."
"What do you think it means?"
"Well I flooed Kingsley, that's why I was a little late tonight."
"Where did you floo Kingsley from in Edinburgh?"
"I had to sneak back into W3 without Ron seeing me and use the upstairs offices after hours. Anyway, I let him know that I had seen Draco and the conversation he had with a local wizarding jeweler. There is a jewel that he wants that only descendants of the Queen can touch. He said that the plans are all in place for him to get to it."
"Harry, he had a wizard photo of me, you and William at the pub from the first night I ran into you. A wizard photo, not muggle."
"Rhys."
"Of course. What did Kingsley say?"
"They're contacting the Prime Minister immediately to increase coverage. I'm going to have some additional wizards on the Royal Protection Squad." Harry couldn't bring himself to mention that Kingsley had also mentioned once again the importance of Hermione encouraging William and continuing to date him.
"Can they do anything to stop them?"
"We need more of a case, I'm afraid. There's a meeting tomorrow at 10. You're invited."
Hermione nodded, and sank back and watched the fire. It felt so wonderful to be in front of a fire. It reminded her of London and the flat she enjoyed so much back there.
"Who's watching after the house while the three of us are away?"
"Ginny's keeping an eye out. She promised Ron not to trash the place too badly with her parties."
"Those sound like fun."
"Yeah."
Hermione sighed.
Harry put his cup down and took Hermione's out of her hands. She looked up at him as if she was going to cry.
"Hey, what's wrong."
"Why are we here? How did we end up in St. Andrews anyway?"
"I have a job to do. You said you needed to get away."
"I know. I'm wondering if running away was the best thing to do."
Harry didn't know what to say to that.
"I just… I was so excited about the Wizengamot job. I'm sad that I didn't have the opportunity to do what I wanted."
Harry pulled Hermione in to his arms. "Hermione. You'll get your chance. There's many places that you can do good, not just at the Wizengamot."
The vanilla scent of her shampoo wafted in his nose. Hermione snuggled closer into him and Harry felt the last shred of restraint leave him.
"When this is all over, I want you to come home. With me."
Hermione looked up at him. "That sounds nice. Home. With you."
Harry dipped down and captured her lips with his own. A sweet, longing kiss of two people who missed each other and the life they thought they would be having at this point after Hogwarts.
Hermione kissed Harry back, and he took that as his cue. His hands wrapped themselves first in her hair and he trailed kisses down her neck. Her sighs just made his need more urgent to have her, but he knew he had to move slowly.
"You taste amazing, Hermione. So soft and kissable." Harry breathed again her collarbone. His hands moved to the front of her blouse, and he started by unbuttoning the top button, revealing her cleavage and a bit of the lace from her bra. His trail of kisses proceeded even lower.
A small gasp escaped from Hermione's lips and Harry decided that was a good sign to keep going. He continued to unbutton her blouse and focused back on her collarbone, very gently placing kisses. Hermione threaded her fingers in his hair and her breathing became more shallow.
"Mmm.. that feels so good."
"Hermione", Harry murmured as he continued to sprinkle kisses all around.
"Yes,"
"I meant what I said." He let his hands wander to her bra, delicately tracing the lace edges.
"What you said?" she squirmed under his touch and ran her hands down his shoulders, clinging to them. Her head was slightly arched back and those lips, Harry thought he would burst wanting to take them and taste her so much.
He positioned himself so that he was above her, just slightly, but the movement caused lower contact, shocking both of them to widen their eyes watching each others move.
Hermione scarcely breathed, "what did you say, Harry?"
"I want you with me. Not just here. Home, in London." And then he couldn't take it anymore, he had to have those lips, have her. He kissed her forcefully, to drink her in, to consume her.
Hermione was reeling in a sensuous ocean of warmth. The man she loved was kissing her and holding her like a lifeline and it felt so right. The man she had grown up with, laughed with and fought beside for 10 years. This was everything she wanted, being adored by the man she loved.
She couldn't believe how good it felt, all the dreams never stacked up to this. She loved him so much, she thought she would burst.
Harry's hands were so warm as they worked their way around Hermione's back. She felt them fuss a bit before she heard him breathe Evanesco and was distinctly aware of being naked from the waist up in Harry's arms.
"Harry!" she blushed profusely, as his lips captured her breast.
"Mmm?" his tongue massaged her nipple causing shockwaves down to her toes. Merlin this was amazing.
"Aaaahh…wandless magic? Where did my clothes go?"
Harry looked up, worried…"Ah, probably in the… other… room." He cradled himself over her, keeping her warm.
"The other room?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
Harry blushed.
"Are they in the kitchen?"
Harry averted his eyes back to her breasts, not a hard thing to do. "No." and he placed a very intentional kiss on her left nipple.
The fire continued to grow within her, but Hermione was not going to let him off this easily. "Well, what other room Harry?"
"My bedroom" and he kissed her right nipple.
"I see" she wiggled underneath him, causing him to moan. She felt his hardness against her thighs and it was creating a tightness in her that she craved. She wanted this so badly.
but does he love you?
Bloody hell, I'm having a good time here, stop being so practical. I'm with Harry. This is what I've wanted for years.
Yes, but is this for real? Just Saturday you wanted space…
While Hermione's mind waged war, Harry continued his worship of her body, His hand kneaded her backside and she danced under him, grinding against him in a way that was incredibly satisfying. Perfectly satisfying.
A sigh escaped her lips, and Harry became still. He repositioned himself to cradle her to keep her warm, but the movements stopped.
"Hey." He stroked her cheeks, moving her hair away and looked deep into her eyes. His green eyes were so dark, and his breath was pretty labored.
"Hey."
"We don't have to do anything you're not ready for." He kissed her softly. "If I'm getting carried away, it's just that you feel so amazing, and when I'm with you…" he kissed her again, "I feel like the world is right. Hermione, I've never felt like this before… it's pretty unbelievable."
She felt the tears well up. "Harry, it's pretty unbelievable for me too. I've wanted this a long time."
"We don't have to rush. I just want to know that you're going to be by my side."
"I will. I want to be with someone who knows me, with whom I don't have to explain myself."
A cold chill rushed over Harry, as he remembered Kingsley's words from earlier in the day. So much had happened.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
"Accio Chenille" A throw that had been sitting on a chair across the room made it's way to Harry's hands. He got up and wrapped it around Hermione. "Let me make some more Hot Cocoa. Your blouse and bra are in my room if you want get dressed."
Hermione's heart plummeted as she watched the retreating figure. What had she done?
She got up and followed him to the kitchen, as tears filled her eyes.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry looked up to see Hermione standing in the door way. Her hair was ruffled, her lips full and swollen. But breaking his heart were the tears he saw in her eyes.
"Oh Hermione, don't cry, it's not you." He gathered her in his arms. "Shhh... I'm sorry, there's more going on here than just us… I didn't tell you quite everything yet." He looked down at her and kissed her again. "Believe me, there is nothing I want to do more then take you to bed tonight and have you completely, but I don't think it's fair given everything going on right now."
"I'll stop going out with William."
"Ah yes… well, that's actually what we need to talk about. Come on, get dressed." he kissed her again "I'll explain all after I fix these up. And I'll make them virgin this time."
Hermione blushed and still confused made her way to Harry's bedroom. As he promised, her blouse and bra were neatly laid upon his bed. As a rental flat, the room itself was fairly utilitarian, with very few distinguishing features.
There was, however, a small frame on the bedside table, and in it was a picture of her and Harry. The wizard photo had been taken soon after they had moved in to their house in London. Neither were aware of the camera, being in the kitchen making soup. They would occasionally laugh at each other, and then Hermione would turn away to cut another vegetable and Harry's eyes would follow her. And he would watch her so contentedly before focusing back on his task at hand. And then Hermione would surreptitiously glance at Harry's back and smile happily.
As she got dressed, it occurred to Hermione that this picture had been here long before this past week. It might have been coming with him on all assignments, it was hard to say.
Merlin, she was tired. This day had been so crazy, seeing Draco, dinner with Ron, Harry. She yawned as she walked to the kitchen.
Harry handed her the cocoa. "I'm sorry, I'll have you home soon."
Hermione's heart sank at having to go back her flat alone. Did the past 15 minutes even happen?
As if reading her mind, Harry placed his hand at her back and led her back to the living room. "Hermione, believe me, the last thing I wanted to do is stop, but you need to know everything before anything further can happen. It's only fair."
"Good lord Harry, what is it? Do you have a secret family I don't know about?" Hermione sat back down on the sofa, but Harry remained standing.
Harry grimaced. "Hardly." He sighed. "Hermione, you remember our meeting on Saturday evening? With Kingsley?"
She nodded and then realization hit her. "Oh."
"You have to know it thrills me that you… care about me… enough to chuck some pretty impressive attention. And believe me, I don't want to give you up. But this is what being on assignment is all about - putting the job first, even at the expense of your own feelings." Harry was pacing back and forth. "Hermione, you can't stop dating William. Just the opposite, we need for you to encourage him."
"Oh."
Harry sighed. "God Hermione, the last thing I want is for you to be in the arms of another guy, but his life, and most likely a number of others are in danger. As a witch, you offer him better protection, and as a woman…" he gulped "you are more likely to be closer to him than I can ever get."
Hermione blushed at the suggestion, "Harry, I don't intend…"
"Hermione," Harry interrupted. "I understand, and I don't intend either, but you cannot have him believe that your interest is even a slightest bit less than genuine. The little I know about William makes me believe that his antennae is highly attuned to false birds who just want fame and fortune. " Hermione started to protest but Harry cut her off. "I know you aren't like that, which is why, in addition to how pretty you are, you're incredibly attractive. Your heart doesn't lie, Hermione. Therefore, I will not compromise it and ask it to at this time."
Hermione could hardly breathe, and she wasn't sure if she heard right. "What about us?"
Harry stopped and looked at Hermione, then pulled him up to her and gathered her in his arms. "There's no one else for me Hermione, but I need you to be as genuine with William as possible, and so until the assignment is over, we've got to stay school chums, housemates, but no more."
"No."
"Yes." Harry felt miserable.
Hermione backed away briefly and then pulled Harry into a bone crushing kiss. He immediately responded and for a moment all was forgotten. Then he reluctantly pulled away.
"I need to get you home, it's very late, and you need to be back here at 10 AM."
"Don't make me go home Harry, I can do this. I want to stay here."
Harry's heart dropped further. "Hermione, I'm serious. What if one of his detail saw you with me. We cannot compromise this."
"Is this how it's been for you these past three years?"
"In one shape or another."
"I saw the picture of us in your room. Did you just have Ginny send that along?"
Harry shook his head. "No Hermione. That's come with me since my first training session. It reminds me why I do what I do, and what I want when I get back from assignment. It's been my strength and sometimes the only thing that sees me through on some rather dark days."
Hermione just stared at him. "I understand why you think I need to go home, I do. It doesn't make it any easier."
He pulled her close one more time and kissed her for a very long time. "Hermione, I'm falling fast... I cannot guarantee that I'll have any restraint if you stay, and …."
Hermione smiled, "okay I get it…" I'm falling fast rang in her ears. It was more than for which she had dared hope.
"Why don't you just apparate to your flat?"
"Good idea." She kissed him one more time. "Promise me when this is over, you'll be practicing some more wandless magic."
Harry's eyes darkened. "Hermione, when this is over, I promise you a night that you will never forget. Whatever your heart desires - I will work to make it come true."
Hemione's heart lept as she reluctantly left his arms. Falling fast she thought again.
"Be safe."
"You too, I'll see you at 10."
And with that, Hermione apparated out of the living room.
Harry sighed as he stared at the empty space.