A/N: Well thankyou to everyone who replied to my little survey. From what I have gathered so far I have three people who want me to get a beta reader and about ten so far who don't. So the don'ts win. Hope you enjoy this chapter. ~waves~
Hermione watched from the far corner of the common room as Harry and Ron relaxed playing a game of wizard's chess. No one could see her, which was just as well, considering what she was about to do. She had disillusioned herself five minutes before and had crept down to sit opposite the boys, watching her prey. Gathering all of her courage together, she rose quietly and moved silently over the carpet and stood near where the boys were, considering her next move and thinking how she would accomplish it without anyone noticing what was happening and without Harry freaking out. She smiled to herself and got on all fours and crawled under the table and between Harry's legs. He was concentrating so much that he did not notice anything the matter; that was until his zipper seemed to be undoing itself of its own accord. He quickly moved his hand down to pull his zipper back up, but felt a hand grasping his and move it back to his lap. He looked down and saw nothing, then felt a gentle kiss on his hand and realised, comprehension dawning in his eyes. He quickly looked around the common room and saw that most of the students were in here and determined not to make a fool of himself. He could already feel himself hardening as the cool air met his skin. He felt a hand feel around inside his boxers then grasp him securely, stroking him for a moment. He desperately tried to remember what he was doing on the chess board, but gave up quickly as he was freed from his pants and he felt wet warmth enclose about him. He groaned softly and covered it up by clearing his throat loudly and then concentrating on the pieces once more, while his eyes crossed at the pleasure Hermione was causing. Ron looked at him oddly for a moment and then went back to making his move. Harry could feel Hermione bobbing up and down on him. He knew that she was trying to make him cum as quickly as possible and thought that she was actually doing a pretty good job. He could feel himself shaking all over from the feelings she was causing in him and he knew from the tingling he was beginning to feel that he needed to find some way of covering up his impending orgasm. He looked desperately around and could find nothing he could use. Feeling it overwhelm him, he bit deeply into his hand to mask the sobs coming from him as his orgasm consumed him. He tasted blood, but didn't care at the moment. He vaguely felt Hermione place him back inside his pants and move away, but couldn't focus yet. By the time he could, he found out that Ron had won the game and his hand was bleeding quite badly. He cast a quick healing spell he had learnt during his late night study sessions and the wounds closed on his hand. He got shakily to his feet, saying to Ron that he didn't feel so good and walked jerkily up to the dormitory, knowing that he had been bested.
Hermione was waiting in his room behind his bed hangings and looked concernedly at Harry's hand when he appeared, grinning wryly at her. He explained what he had used on the wounds and Hermione nodded, relieved. Harry quickly undressed and slid into the bed next to the already naked Hermione and kissed her, saying "You're unbelievable, you know that?"
Hermione pretended to think about it for a moment and then nodded, grinning slyly. Harry and Hermione spent the rest of the night trying to better each other and eventually fell asleep, exhausted.
Safe to say Hermione had no luck finding out what Harry had been doing, but they both had fun as she tried. They both were a bit tired the next morning, due to a lack of sleep and hard, vigorous physical activity. They both stifled yawns as they ate breakfast, not saying much to anyone, but stealing looks at each other, whenever they thought they could get away with it. Ron noticed this lack of conversation from his best friends, but he was preoccupied this morning, by Luna Lovegood who had come over to say good morning and Ron had invited her to sit with him and have some breakfast. He knew he liked the girl without a doubt; he just seemed to be unable to say much around her except for the most general of conversations. He decided however that this morning was the morning. When Harry and Hermione got up to leave, he waved them off, saying he would catch up with them at charms. They both raised their eyebrows enquiringly and he waved them away again, thinking that they had literally become clones of each other, the way they acted the same all the time. Luna was rising to her feet as well and Ron rose with her, taking her by the hand, saying "Do you have a moment to talk, Luna? It's important."
Luna smiled dreamily at him, as she always seemed to do and nodded. Ron smiled at her and led her outside into the crisp morning air. They weren't far away from the castle when he turned to her, his expression serious. "Luna, I like you, a lot." He blurted.
"I know Ronald. I like you a lot too. You are a good friend." She answered, smiling.
Ron took a deep breath and plunged on ahead "No, Luna. I like you a lot more than a friend. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Luna's dreamy expression left her face and a wide smile replaced it. She nodded and stepped towards Ron, whispering "Yes Ronald, I will. I like you more than a friend as well. I have for quite a while. I was hoping that sooner or later you would notice."
Ron smiled and drew Luna closer and slowly pressed his lips to hers in a soft tender kiss. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms about his neck, truly happy.
Ten minutes later, Harry and Hermione saw Ron walk in, a dreamy look upon his face and both smirked, realising what had happened.
"So, you've finally asked her then?" Harry enquired, his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline.
Ron grinned nodding, his ears going bright pink.
"And?" Hermione pressed, eager to hear the news, although from Ron's expression she already knew the answer.
"She said yes and we kissed." He said with a huge goofy grin on his face. They both secretly congratulated him, patting him on the back and telling him how happy they were for him. They then focussed on the lesson, Harry and Hermione holding hands beneath the desk.
Just after lunch, Harry was called over my Professor McGonagall and was told that Professor Dumbledore wanted to see him. He waved to the others to go on without him and he followed Professor McGonagall to the headmaster's office. She said the password "Fizzing Whizbys!"
She then stood back once the stone gargoyle had leapt aside and Harry stepped onto the moving staircase and ascended to the office of Albus Dumbledore. He knocked and entered and saw that Dumbledore was seated behind his desk. Harry sat in the chair in front of the professor and smiled, waiting for him to begin.
"First of all congratulations are in order I believe. You and Miss Granger do make a lovely couple I must say."
Harry blushed slightly and thanked the professor. Dumbledore smiled at him, his eyes twinkling, then continued.
"I gather you still intend to teach the DA this year?"
Harry nodded and also brought up his idea of the inner circle of the marauders. Dumbledore's moustache twitched in what Harry recognised as a smile and he nodded, saying thoughtfully "Yes, they did show you tremendous loyalty and you know you could rely on them for anything. I suggest what you do is organise the normal meetings, and then keep the inner circle behind, which shouldn't be hard. Then you can have your separate meeting."
Harry thought about this and realised it was a simple, but brilliant plan. He usually sent everyone off in pairs anyhow, so it wouldn't be hard and no one would realise that there was any difference. He thanked Dumbledore for the idea and then informed him of something that he had planned, coming up on Christmas. Dumbledore's eyes lit up and he nodded, giving his permission for the preparations he needed to make and assured him that he would speak to Professor McGonagall in regards to it. Harry smiled, thanking Dumbledore once more and opening the door, left and went back down. He found Ron and Hermione in the library and, giving Hermione a kiss, excitedly sat down and explained what Dumbledore had said about the marauders. Hermione nodded, slapping her head at the simplicity. Ron could only shake his head in admiration at Dumbledore's brilliance. All three of them planned the meeting in three day's time, knowing that it would not interfere with anything important. Harry changed his fake galleon to the correct date and time while they sat there in the library, then they all rose and went to their next class.
The night of the DA meeting came and at seven o'clock, he, Ron and Hermione made their way to the room of requirement and after Harry walked past the blank piece of wall the required number of times, he turned and grasped hold of the door which had appeared and stepped inside. About fifteen minutes later the others in the group began filing in and by seven thirty, Harry was sure that everyone who was going to be there was. Harry was relieved to see that Cho Chang wasn't there and he noticed that Hermione seemed satisfied as well. He grinned and stood in front of everyone and brought the meeting to order. He began by going over what had happened in the department of mysteries and the different spells he and the marauders had found useful in their struggle against the death eaters. Hermione was impressed at how easily Harry talked through the events that had cost him his godfather's life. Harry faltered when he came up to what happened to Sirius, but looking at Hermione, seemed to draw strength from her. His voice firmed and he illustrated the point that you should never be complacent because that is when you will be caught unawares, just like Sirius was. The first thing he got them all to do was to practice the shield charm and they took it in turns to try to break each other's shield. He explained to everyone that he thought visualisation was also an important part of the spell and added to the strength of the spell and illustrated by casting his own shield charm and then managing to rebound several stunning spells that he got the others to throw.
He then concluded the lesson; letting the people who were not in the marauders go, then turned to the others closing the door. He smiled at them all and said "Before the rest of you go, I wanted to ask you all something. I really appreciated the support you gave me in the department of mysteries and even more the fact that you are still all my friends after leading you all into a trap. I have decided that I really need you guys. I can try to be the hero and go it alone, but I know that I will never get anywhere without all of my friends, which is what you all are to me. I want to start an inner group of the DA. Those who will stand by my side through thick and thin. I want you guys, if you'll join."
The others all stood there, thinking for a while, and then Neville spoke up.
"I can't speak for the others, but I will stand with you Harry. I saw for myself what Voldemort's followers can do to families and to people, after all I suffered under the cruciatus curse myself last year. I know that while you will eventually be our saviour, you are going to need help and I for one want to be there for you. You have been a great friend to me all through our years at school and have always been kind to me. I consider you a good friend and would be honoured to join."
The others all nodded and Harry grinned, relieved. He put his hand out in front of him and the others all gathered around, putting their hands on top of his. When all had done so, he said softly "Here is to the marauders and to the fall of Voldemort!"
The others echoed his last words and all smiled. Harry then explained that after every DA meeting he wanted them all
to hang around and they would then conduct their secret meetings. He also told them that they needed to bring the
younger years into the DA as well and asked everyone if they could bring at least one new student with them next
time.
They all agreed and departed after Harry checked that the coast was clear. Ron turned to Harry and he answered his
unasked question by telling him that he would be along in a little while. Ron grinned and winked, closing the door
behind him.
Harry turned to find Hermione standing in the middle of the room. He went to her and wrapped his arms about her, hugging her. She hugged him back, resting her head on his shoulder. When she looked up, she noticed that the furnishings had all disappeared and some of the candles had as well, leaving a low light within the room. Music began to play and Hermione looked at Harry, amused. Harry winked and stepping back, held his hands out to her. She moved into his embrace and they began to dance slowly, moving as one around the room, looking deeply into each other's eyes. The music changed tempo with their mood and as their passion rose, the music got faster and hotter. They moved together, grinding their hips into each other, exchanging the occasional kiss, which only caused their passion to burn higher than it had before. Harry found that he was sweating profusely and quickly took off his robes and pulled off his top. Hermione soon followed his example. Within five minutes they were dancing naked and their moans were in unison as they ground against each other. They stopped for a moment as the music stopped and heard a thud behind Harry. They both looked to see a large four poster bed. Harry grinned wryly at Hermione who giggled and quickly donning their robes and disillusioning themselves, they made their way back to the common room and to bed, where they engaged in anything but sleep.
The next day, Harry spent some time helping Dobby in the favour he had mentioned. It was hard work as most of it was physical labour, but Harry had found a few useful spells in his time studying at the library and soon had the hang of how they worked. Dobby worked feverishly; glad to help Harry in such an important endeavour. Harry also knew that they would need to get some different things from shops at Hogsmead and gave Dobby some galleons to purchase the items, as well as some money for his help thus far. Dobby had tears rolling down his face when Harry did this and Harry gave him a quick hug and said he really appreciated all of the help he had given him. Dobby smiled brilliantly and with one click of his fingers, was gone. Harry went to the bathroom to have a quick wash and met Hermione in the library. He evaded her questions as much as possible, just letting her know that eventually, he would let her know, just not now. She accepted this answer with a frown, but let it pass. Harry then suggested to her that after Quiditch practice, that she meet him at the back of the broom shed and they would do something special together. Hermione reluctantly agreed to this, not quite sure what Harry had in mind and they continued their study. Ron spent a lot of time these days with Luna, which gave Harry and Hermione a lot of time together, which was the way they preferred it, as they often felt uncomfortable showing their affection towards each other in front of Ron, who may have felt more like a fifth wheel. They were studying for their defence against the dark arts lesson, as each time they came into the classroom, they found the challenges getting more and more difficult. Moody didn't apologise for this, saying that they would only have one chance to defend themselves when death eaters attacked them, so he would not let up and make sure they had that one chance. Consequently, Harry and Hermione were learning more and more complex spells to defend and attack, although Moody had gotten the best of them a couple of times. Harry thought though that Moody was impressed, as he often gave Harry and Hermione a wink as they left his classroom. Harry had also heard that none of the seventh years had actually managed to defeat moody yet and thus had enormous piles of homework each week, explaining to Moody where they had gone wrong. Harry thought though if they had had the practical experience that he had, they probably would have much better instincts towards defence and Hermione agreed, saying the most fearsome things that they would have had to face, would have been some of Hagrid's creatures during lessons.
Harry's hopes that Malfoy would continue to leave him alone and avoid him all year vanished during the evening as he was hurrying down to the Quiditch pitch for training. He was just rounding a corner, when he saw out of the corner of his eye, a red bolt shooting toward him. He leapt to the side, rolling and the spell exploded against the wall where he had been moments before. He whirled around to find Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle advancing on him with their wands drawn. Harry experienced a moment of unreality as he remembered the previous year when he had faced the elders of these three at the department, but knew this times he could not rely on his friends. "So, Malfoy, three on one your style is it?" Harry enquired coolly, not letting his eyes drift from the three. Malfoy sneered, his cold voice dripping acid as he said smoothly "Oh you see Potter, I need witnesses to say that you threw the first spell, so then I am justified in jinxing you. Don't want to get punished again do I?"
Harry didn't wait to hear more as he knew his life depended on his next movements. He quickly cast the protective shield and the others, not hearing exactly what he had cast; quickly cast disarming and stunning spells towards him. The three spells bounced off his shield, dissipating it entirely, but one of the stunners caught Goyle full in the chest and he flew backwards and lay motionless on the ground and the others quickly dove behind statues to prevent getting hit by the other spells. Harry dove behind a suit of armour himself and thought desperately of ways to trick his opponents. He muttered a few words and an image of himself appeared next to him, crouching behind the statue as well. Harry whispered in the mirage's ear and it nodded and dived forward and pretended to run off. Spells shot past where Harry crouched and he watched as the spells seemed to hit the fake him and it sprawled realistically on the floor, not moving. He smiled as He saw Crabb run past where he was and he casually cast a stunning spell which caught Crabb in the back, felling him like a rather thick tree. Harry didn't have time to turn around before he felt something very hard hit him in the back of the head. He fell forward, but managed to keep a hold on his wand as he rolled, not seeing who it was, although he suspected it was Malfoy, he cast a tickling charm, which gave him enough time to be able to focus. He saw Malfoy doubled up in the corridor, his sides heaving. Harry quickly cast a stunning spell and Malfoy fell to the floor.
Harry slowly got to his feet, his vision somewhat hazy from the hit he had received. He looked down and realised that Malfoy must have grabbed one of the suit of armour's gauntlets and smacked him over the head with it. Harry began to walk, hoping he would run into someone, anyone really, who could help him up to the hospital wing. His vision became darker and darker, he could no longer make anyone out, but he kept walking. Just as he collapsed, he heard a voice cry out his name before he fainted dead away.
Harry woke up, not sure exactly where he was. His vision was blurred and he realised that someone had taken his glasses off. He fumbled around and located the table next to him and his glasses sitting on top of them. He put his glasses on and realised that he was in the hospital wing, recognising the familiar ceiling and walls and the beds all lined up neatly from wall to wall. At that moment, Madame Pomfrey bustled over and said "Oh good, your back with us Mr Potter. Miss Granger will be delighted."
"What happened?" Harry asked, not sure what had happened after Malfoy had brained him.
"Well from what I have heard Miss Granger went looking for you when you were late for Quiditch practice. Apparently that charm you both wear also has the ability to let the other wearer know when the other person is in danger. She came in to find you stumbling along, with blood dripping down your face and a nasty gash to the back of your head. You fainted in front of her and she managed to get you here up to me. Lucky thing too. You had a fractured skull and quite a few bruises from where you were hit. Now drink this and lay back. You stillneed your rest!"
Harry took the goblet proffered to him, drinking the liquid down and realised that by the light coming in through the windows, it must be late afternoon.
"Um, how long have I been in here?" He asked, not really sure if he wanted to know.
"Three days." Madame Pomfrey huffed, fluffing his pillows. "You were very lucky you know, five more minutes and you would have been beyond my help!"
Harry sat quietly thinking about this, but was interrupted from his thoughts by the door opening at the end of the ward and Professor Dumbledore sweeping in. Madame Pomfrey nodded to the Professor and went inside her office and closed the door. Dumbledore took the chair next to Harry's bed and asked "How are you feeling, Harry?"
Harry tried to refocus his eyes and said "Well at the moment there are two of you sitting there, but I'm awake so that's something."
Dumbledore smiled briefly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Harry, can you tell me what happened between you and Mr Malfoy?"
Harry then recounted exactly what happened and Dumbledore sat there listening. Five minutes later, when he had finished and was taking a drink of water, Dumbledore cleared his throat and said "I put Mr Malfoy, Crabb and Goyle under veritaserum to find out exactly what had happened. They gave the same story that you just told me. I must apologise to you Harry. I thought that the punishment that Mr Malfoy received before the term began as well as being stripped of being a prefect would be enough deterrent for him to not try anything else. Apparently it wasn't so. For such an attack on someone, especially you Harry, as well as the fact that you were nearly killed, I had no choice but to expel all three of them."
Harry gaped at Dumbledore, not sure what to say. Dumbledore continued his voice still serious "It seems that Mr Malfoy had been planning this attack for some time, but the fact that you were usually surrounded by your friends and members of the DA still deterred him. He, however found the perfect time to attack you, wile your friends were outside, waiting for you."
Harry nodded and said "Madame Pomfrey told me that I was quite lucky to make it back at all, sir."
Dumbledore nodded and said "Yes. The seriousness of this attack has caused me to give everyone within the school a warning that violence of this sort will not be tolerated. Your teachers have also not counted your absence against you and have given Miss Granger the material for you to go through once you are better. You don't have to do any home work though, as long as you learn the material."
Harry nodded, thinking that Professor Snape would not be pleased at this. Dumbledore seemed to read his thoughts as he continued "I must tell you that Professor Snape is thoroughly disgusted that students within his care could make such an attack. He has made it clear to everyone within his house that if he catches any of them even looking strangely at another house, he will be giving them a whole month of detention pickling rat's brains. Suffice to say they are keen not to have to do that!"
Harry smiled at this; still stunned that Snape would say such a thing. Dumbledore rose to his feet and said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I'll let you get some rest. I daresay that Miss Granger will be along soon to give you a thorough telling off!"
Chuckling, he departed and Harry drifted off to sleep, marvelling at Snape's actions.
Harry woke up later in the day to find Hermione and Ron sitting beside him, talking quietly. Hermione, seeing him awake, flung her arms around his neck, her tears soaking into his pyjama top. He held her tightly to him and whispered soothing words to her, running his fingers through her hair. He looked at Ron and smiled. Ron smiled back, but Harry saw that Ron had a drawn look to his face and knew that they had both been by his bedside while he had been unconscious. Ron made an excuse that he had to catch up with Luna about something. When he had left, Hermione sat up, wiping her eyes and said "I was so scared when I saw you. I thought for a moment I had lost you. I now know what you meant when you wrote to me in the summer and said how your heart wrenched in two. Its how I felt. I'm never letting you out of my sight again!"
She hugged him again, more tears rolling down her cheeks and Harry gently ran his hand along her cheeks, wiping the tears away.
"Don't worry 'Mione, I'm not going anywhere. Not for a long time. I think it is a good idea for someone to always be with me though, Dumbledore told me that if I hadn't always been with people earlier on, Malfoy would have attacked sooner."
Hermione nodded, still sniffling and Harry handed her a tissue. She wiped her eyes and smiled at Harry and said "I guess for the first time I've really understood how dangerous your life is." Harry's stomach dropped, but lightened when she said "Don't worry though, Harry, I'm not going to be scared off just because your life is a little more interesting. It's just going to make me appreciate so much more the time I have with you."
Harry smiled and kissed Hermione softly. She responded just as tenderly and pressed him back into the pillows, saying "Now, you rest. I want you all better so I can show you how much I really appreciate you!"
Harry grinned and winced, feeling still a bit sore. Hermione kissed him on the forehead and left him to mull over his thoughts.