Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter 22: The All Hallows Eve Bash

Harry knew that word travelled fast around the gossipy halls of Hogwarts, but he had no idea that moments upon re-entering the school after he and his father's talk, he would immediately be assaulted by Hermione and Ron.

Hermione, with tears running down her face, pounded down the hall, and flung herself onto him in a full body hug that nearly knocked him flat. Ron followed her, grinning wildly and hammering him on the back until it tingled with loss of feeling.

"Hrry 's so wunerfl! Yu'n fthr frgiving cn st anw rlaship…" Hermione's face was buried so fully in his shoulder that he could barely make her out.

He chuckled and shifted her weight in his arms with a grunt. "Learning to speak Gobbledygook? You've decided to work at Gringott's post-graduation, then…"

Hermione lifted a tear-stained face to him and gave him a punch in the shoulder before sliding from his grasp. "Don't be a prat. Ron and I went looking for you earlier. We saw you with your father…Harry, it's so wonderful."

"Yeah mate," said Ron, still grinning Cheshire-like. "Proud of you. I know what a great lot of nerve that took."

Harry felt the expression freeze on his face and glanced down, shoving his hands into his pockets.

Hermione frowned. "Love, what is it?"

When he spoke again he was quiet, as if not quite sure how to explain himself. "Look, what you saw out there…it was nice, I'll admit. It feels good to know I was… was loved, and I'm beginning to understand why he did what he did…But by no means does one conversation and a hug erase the past sixteen years. D'you understand?"

Ron blinked for a few moments, obviously not sure how to think, but Hermione seemed to comprehend him fully.

"Of course it doesn't," she put a hand to his face and smiled at him. "I don't think for a moment that everything's been instantly put right. Your father doesn't either, I'm sure. But Harry…it's a start. You have to begin somewhere…right?"

Harry was suddenly more than grateful for being given someone like Hermione; whatever deity it was that sent her. He brought up a hand to smooth her hair back from her face. "Right love. Your right."

Ron tried to put his thoughts right and in order. "So then you are a bit better with him…"

Harry winced, unsure himself why he felt uneasy, and nodded. "I'm trying. We both are, I think."

"That's all that can be asked, then," said Ron wisely. "Remember Harry, whatever he did, right or wrong, he did from love for you. It might not've turned out the way either of you wanted, but at least you have that."

Harry turned to follow Ron and Hermione outside into the bright day, but had no words with which to answer. As the three strolled in companionable silence round the grounds, Harry still felt the sting of bitterness tug his heart downward. It was strange; in his mind, he knew he'd heard the truth; knew what all of the right things were now to believe and think. But a lifetime of regret had built a wall against probably any answer he might've heard, he thought to himself, and he was having the damndest time making his heart follow his head.

Yet there was nothing for it but to try. What other choice was there?

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The end of October brought an even cooler drop in temperature and a greyish tint to the sky over the Scottish grounds. All around Hogwarts the middle to end of autumn was evident; from the yellowish tint to the grass, already multicoloured from fallen leaves, to the half-bare trees, losing more and more of their painted coverings every day owing to the wind. The castle too seemed chillier than before. In-between classes, throngs of students were seen with woollen caps and scarves bearing their house colours, and the classrooms themselves now glowed with fires lit in the hearths.

Though the drab outside could have lent the school a gloomy feel, most inside were upbeat and even excited. The All Hallows Eve bash was to be held Friday night, October thirty-first, only two days away, and the halls around the school were already decorated with all sorts of Halloween paraphernalia. Glowing pumpkins were set outside every classroom door, orange and black streamers were hung magically here and there down the halls, and webs with magically enhanced spiders threaded out from corners, (causing Ron to turn three shades of pale). Even the resident ghosts were taking extra care to rattle chains and moan frightfully in every dark corridor.

Hoards of bats came magically from nowhere to swoop down on unsuspecting students, and Peeves followed every attack with a bag of mouldy raisins, tossing handfuls over students heads and screaming 'BAT DROPPINGS!' Only McGonnagol managed to stop him by threatening banishment from the castle, and vowed to find whomever it was supplying the poltergeist and make them eat a handful of the real thing.

Ginny tried her best to contain her excitement, Harry, Ron and Hermione noticed as they headed toward their last class of the day, but she was finding it rather difficult. Malfoy was finally out from the infirmary and had asked her to be his date, so practically all she could think on was what costumes might have a couples theme. She'd decided to confide in Hermione some two weeks ago (neither Lavender or Parvarti were good for anything but dumb giggles as were the girls from her own year) on what had happened with she and Draco when they'd left the infirmary, and as Ginny had guessed, Hermione was full of misgivings and advice.

But while she listened to her and nodded in all of the appropriate places, Ginny knew she was going to make up her own mind. Truth be told, Hermione knew as well, though she hoped at least some of her words would fix into Ginny's self-conscious enough to later pop suddenly into her mind.

She and Ginny hung back as Ron and Harry walked ahead of them toward the Advanced DADA class so that the latter could fill her in on the latest. Though Hermione could be a bit bossy, Ginny was grateful. She needed a female ear.

"So he did ask you, then?" asked Hermione.

"He tried first acting as if it were too childish a thing to attend," replied Ginny with a smirk. "He said rather drolly, and I quote: 'Well Red, you'll be going to the Boo Ball this year, I reckon.' "

"He called it a Boo Ball!?" huffed Hermione in annoyance.

"Oh that's just him making as if he's disinterested Hermione," said Ginny wisely, rolling her eyes. "You know it would take a right miracle for him to openly allow emotion."

Hermione squinched her face at the other girl. "And you find this… appealing…"

Ginny laughed. "It's not real. He's somewhat of a challenge, yes, but I know how to make him stop acting a prick."

"And how's that?" asked Hermione. "Hang on, better…what'd you say to him?"

Ginny cut her eyes at Hermione in a sadistic way. "I told him I'd already been asked by three other wizards, and I wouldn't mind going with one of them if he fancied the 'Boo Ball' beneath him."

Hermione stared at her for a moment and then grinned, which made Ginny finally break out into a peal of laughter. "Cheeky…quite the manipulator, aren't you?"

"And with whom did I grow up?" declared Ginny as if that righted the matter. "Always master manipulators, that Fred and George. Anyhow, it's not how I see it. It's rather more like…helping Draco come out from his shell of denial."

Hermione smiled again and shook her head at the younger girl. "So then he asked you."

"He paused a few moments for effect, probably to see whether I was bluffing. Then he said, and I quote again: 'Well, I'll need to go anyway, I suppose. Just to warrant the party won't be a complete pansy-arse affair. I'll pick you up at seven.' "

"Is that so…" Scoffed Hermione as she and Ginny entered Lupin's classroom and chose seats next to Ron and Harry. "And who are you two going as?"

Ginny blanched and felt her stomach fluttering. "That's the problem!" she whispered back as Lupin turned to address his students. "I don't know! He only asked me yesterday and before that I was thinking of going stag, you know; thought I'd meet someone there. Now I actually have a theme to think of!"

Hermione shook her head and held a hand up towards Ginny. "No worries. I have a book back at our common room that will help. We'll talk more after."

Ginny widened her eyes at Hermione. "A book?" She hissed with a panicky voice. "Hermione it isn't a class, it's a party! How could a book possibly help!?"

Hermione glanced at Ginny patiently and whispered under her breath. " 'The Costumed Couple: A Witch's Guide to Matching her Mate'. Got it from Madame Pince last week. Harry and I've already got ours picked. I'll show you how to transfigure them."

Ginny let out her breath and stared openly at her friend for a few moments. "You never cease to amaze me."

Hermione smiled proudly in return.

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Hermione turned to peer at herself in the mirror and gasped as she saw how Ginny had transfigured her own costume into what she had described as 'less bookish Hermione, and more daring Hermione'. The sky blue dress was styled as if it were straight from the rich societies of the seventeen hundreds, full and flowing down to the floor. But the bodice was quite revealing, leaving little to the imagination, and the dress hugged the entire top of her body down to her slim hips like a glove. She wore silver hoop earrings, a small silver chain with a dagger pendant, and matching boots on her feet. Ginny had wanted to make her face up more than it was, but Hermione insisted that a swashbuckler's wench would probably not be heavily made up. She wore only mascara, a hint of blush, and a red tinted lip gloss. Her head of heavy curls was piled loosely on top, with ringlets falling here and there around her face. She did indeed look as if she'd been a wealthy passenger on a ship, just kidnapped by a pirating swashbuckler.

"Oh Ginny…I don't…my original dress was fine. Harry'll fall over when he claps his eyes on this! I think we've gone rather too far."

Ginny had come to Hermione's room to change with her, and Harry and Draco were slumped in the private common room, sitting as far apart as possible, ignoring each other magnificently, and looking for the world like they'd rather be anywhere else in the universe than in the same room alone together, in costumes. Both had already called for the girls to 'get a move on' at least a dozen times or more respectively, but the only response they had gotten was that 'beauty took time'. Time they had, thought Harry daring to glance Malfoy's way, patience was another thing entirely.

Ginny, who had been busy waving her wand over her own get-up, turned to look at Hermione and suddenly gave a squeal of delight. "Oh Hermione! No! It's brill! You look dead sexy. And I rather think once he sees you he'll stand up quite nicely…"

"Ginny!" exclaimed Hermione in her most scandalised voice.

"Oh don't be such a prude," laughed Ginny, smoothing out her Egyptian queen costume and adjusting her gold head-dress. "Besides, your costume is no more extreme than mine, I think."

Ginny was decked out in a long white toga, but had made sure to let it fall well within bounds of her cleavage, and had transfigured a revealing slit along the side. The costume was complete with golden bands around her upper arms, gold bangles around her wrists, a slim golden belt, and a golden amulet around her neck. The head-dress complimented her thick straight red hair, and a gold chain of different coloured jewels dangled across her forehead. She had thick black eyeliner swept across her upper lids and drawn outward to make her eyes appear more catlike, and had painted her lips a deep red.

Hermione turned to her and placed her hands on her hips. "You've just made my point."

Ginny waltzed over to her, placed her hand on the older girls waist, and turned her toward the mirror so she could fully take in her own form. "Look at you, Hermione. You look smashing! Besides, how often are we able to relax and just be free?

You've heard the phrase 'Carpe Diem', I'm sure."

Hermione frowned at herself and Ginny in the mirror. "And I'm sure they meant 'seize the day', not strangle it."

Ginny smiled patiently, and for once, seemed as if she were the wiser one giving advice. "They were referring to anytime one might step out from oneself for just a little while and run wild."

Hermione swallowed. "Wild?"

"We'll settle for less reserved," said Ginny with a smirk. "Now, we'd better get out there before Draco and Harry start a row. Neither of them seemed too eager to wait with the other."

Harry stood quickly as the creak of hinges behind him sounded. "Finally…" he muttered. Though after seeing Hermione stand shyly before him, and then gaze at him more boldly as she took in his own costume with an open mouth, he forgave her instantly.

Hermione thought she'd never seen Harry look more…well…dangerously sexy.

He wore a dark blue scarf round his head that almost met his eyebrows and knotted round the back. His longish hair curled out from under the bottom of it quite nicely. He'd decided to forego shaving the past couple of days to add to the effect, and she thought there was nothing she'd like better to do right then than to run her hands over those roughened cheeks. He'd charmed a gold hoop earring in his left earlobe, and wore a roughened skull pendant round his neck on a gold chain. His billowy white shirt hung open almost to his navel, showing a nice expanse of olive skin, a chiselled chest, and a line of fine black hair, (her favourite line of fine black hair). The dark blue pants, tucked into black boots, were held on by a dark red scarf tied round his middle. Godric Gryffindor's sword hung from his sash, magically lightened, and held in a roughened leather looking sheath.

When he smiled at her though, Hermione thought to herself that she was sure no mangy pirate of the old seas had ever had such straight white teeth with such a dangerously crooked grin.

"Wow 'Mione…you're, I mean you…loo…look like…just…WOW."

Hermione was sure she blushed five deep shades of crimson, as much for the inarticulate compliment as for the scandalous thoughts running through her mind.

She swallowed and shook her head, choosing not to reply. "We'd…better get there then, before we miss the whole thing."

Harry grabbed her round the waist and spun her to him, grinning madly and lowering his voice an octave. "I wouldn't mind."

"Harry!" Hermione hissed through gritted teeth as she motioned toward Ginny and Malfoy.

But neither of them had noticed. Ginny was too busy by-passing the besotted, lustful looks Draco was giving her, and taking in his costume. Neffertiti had met her Caesar.

Malfoy had chosen to forego the toga theme, and had instead donned the tight brown leather of a king just out from battle. He too had foregone shaving and had a nice smattering of rough blonde on his jaw. He'd charmed his hair short and spiky, which added to the rugged warrior theme. The studded leather vest was sleeveless, showing pale skin and Quidditch toned arms, with leather bicep-bands. The pants (good Godric) were equally as leather, and equally as tight, with brown worn boots on his feet and a sword at his side. Six golden studs ran up both of his ears, and a leather band was tied round his forehead. A more modern approach to Egyptian warrior clothing? Ginny looked down at the tight leather pants and couldn't bring herself to mind.

Hermione smiled at Harry as she saw the two gazing at each other and motioned him to follow her out from the common room. He looked uncomfortable at seeing Malfoy ogling Ginny, who was like his sister, but was given no choice but to follow Hermione out the portrait door.

"When he sees the two of them together like that, Ron'll go completely apeshit," said Harry with dread as he and Hermione walked down a hall transfigured to appear as a dark menacing forest covered in mist.

Despite knowing it was only a hoax, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm even tighter when an unknown animal growled through the night at her. "And he'll just have to deal with it, won't he?" Her voice was shaky with nerves.

A pair of gleaming red eyes suddenly appeared in front of them and Hermione screamed, almost jumping bodily into Harry's arms. But Harry waited it out, and then chuckled and set her back down again as the red faded from their view.

"A bit inconsiderate of them to use that particular scam, wasn't it?"

Hermione shuddered and didn't let go of Harry's arm. "Had to make them glowing red, didn't they? Like…like his."

"I'm sure it was Filch or one of the others," he replied. "Dumbledore would've known better. But not many've actually seen Voldemort, you know?"

Hermione stopped abruptly and looked up at him. "Harry…just for tonight, let's not mention his name. Let's pretend for just one night that all there is this party, and school and friends…and us."

Harry gazed at her for a moment and then smiled understandingly. "Ok, love. For tonight, the world is normal."

Draco and Ginny joined them some minutes later, though both could tell they'd done a bit of snogging first, and the four made it more or less together to the Great Hall, separating quickly once they'd opened the doors and stepped inside. The sight that greeted them was a surprising one, indeed.

The whole of the hall had been transfigured to look as if they had stepped into a giant dark forest with a large hollowed clearing, complete with tall twisted trees, thick underbrush, eerie white mist, and filtered moonlight, just as the hallway had been. The ceiling, always charmed to reflect the outside, showed a black sky, very few stars owing to the overcast of smoke grey clouds, and a pale waning moon, fuzzy round the edges.

There was already a roar of voices, laughter and music, and the huge 'clearing' in the midst of the forest held hundreds of costumed students, milling about, heading toward the overloaded snack tables, or moving toward one of the numbers of games that had been set up about the edge of the circle. A stage had been placed toward one edge as well, and Harry noticed that the surprise act for the evening was none other than Werewolf Wilmur. He was currently on the second verse of "I Wanna Fang You for Loving Me", his smash hit on the WWN right after "Howlo, my love".

Ron caught site of Harry and Hermione and grabbed Lavender's hand, beaming and weaving in-between the crowd to get to them. Harry stifled a laugh as he approached.

"There you are! Thought you'd decided to stay in and snog for the evening." He yelled over the din of noise.

Hermione noticed Lavender seemed a bit nervous and kept glancing around them to see if anyone was looking their way, but after spotting Ron, it was easy to guess why. He was dressed in very wide legged pants, cuffed to his ankles at the bottom and black slippers, curled at the toes. His silky vest was black as well and open to show a nice expanse of pale, freckled chest, and a black silk turban was wrapped around his head. Lavender wore an open pale purple vest with a modest pale purple bra underneath, the same colour bloomers covered in blooming gauzy pants, and the same type shoes. Her blonde hair was covered with a series of veils, with a transparent one covering her nose and mouth and a band of gold coins were strung across her forehead.

Ron grinned at them again. "So I suppose you two are pirate and wench then?"

"Swashbuckler," corrected Harry, his mouth contorted as he tried to stifle a laugh. Ron looked a bit, well…feminine in his costume. He was sure he didn't know. "And Hermione does make a fetching wench, doesn't she?"

He paused as Hermione shot him a mock-offended look and winked cheekily at her before returning his attention to Ron. "So…what exactly are you supposed to be?"

Suddenly Lavender dropped Ron's hand with a huff and turned poutily to him. "You see Ron! I told you we'd be asked that question all night!"

Ron widened his eyes at her as if she were being unreasonable. "No worries Lav!" He turned back to his friends with a smirk and addressed Harry. "It's obvious who we are dipshit. I'm a sheikh, and Lav here is my belly-dancing slave."

"I'm not a slave," Lavender retorted quickly.

"Ah," nodded Harry, grinning.

"Echoes of your name I hear, howling in the wind, just howling in the wind, OWOOOO! And I just wanna fang you for loooovin' me…"

The song rose in pitch, obviously a favourite part for Wilmur. Harry, Hermione and Lavender winced simultaneously.

"This is my favourite of his," said Ron as he turned from looking at the stage to beam at them once again. " 'Howlo my love' has more or less travelled to the bottom of my list thanks to Seamus."

"Can't imagine why," said Hermione drolly.

"Right," said Ron. "Well, time to get loose! See you two on the dance floor!"

He stuck out his tongue and made a dance move reminiscent of a wounded hippogriff stumbling toward its final resting place. Harry dissolved into snorts of laughter.

Lavender rolled her eyes at Ron but grinned and yanked him out onto the dance floor anyway.

Harry led Hermione to the dance floor and pulled her close, despite the song having a medium beat. "Well, maybe Dumbledore'll decide to switch on the WWN soon. Don't think I can lump Wilmur all night long."

"Let's hope," said Hermione with a crooked smile.

They'd finally gotten their wish, and had been on the dance floor for around an hour before Professor McGonnagol, dressed as Fredweina the Fierce in a long black dress of rags, a painted-on scowl, and carrying several fake daggers on a belt around her waist, came up on stage and announced that it was time for the contest, judged by the professors, on whose costume was the most inventive. Most hadn't even known there was to be a contest. There were well over three hundred students present as fifth year and up were invited to the bash, so when it came time for willing students to come up on stage to be seen by all, it was no wonder that a few costumes had slipped the attention of Professor Sinistra, who was to make certain that no one entered the Great Hall in costumes that were deemed 'inappropriate'.

Crabbe and Goyle, whose costumes almost rendered McGonnagol completely catatonic, were immediately ordered to get out and change into something suitably decent, or else. Coming to the bash as a couple of sumo wrestlers had truly been the wrong idea.

Ron mentioned to Harry as the two idiots ran out guffawing to one another, that if he was ever, EVER able to get the sight of their fat naked arsecheeks out of his mind it would be a bloody miracle. Harry was immensely thankful none of their bits and pieces had fallen out in the process. The comment won him a punch and scowl from Hermione.

Seamus Finnegan, Gryffindor's resident skirt-chaser, was swiftly frowned upon as he charged on stage as a 'lamp', with a round shade and a pull string over his head, and asked if there were any witches available to turn him on. One from the audience had just time enough to announce she'd rather 'pull the plug' before McGonnagol herself angrily chased him from the hall. There was an eruption of laughter with that one.

Neville Longbottom looked positively miserable in his giant carrot costume, followed onstage by a smiling Susan Bones, in a pair of long bunny ears, a modest white one piece swimsuit, a fluffy tail, and charmed oversized front teeth. They received a few votes. Harry was sure that particular embarrassment had been Susan's idea.

Dean Thomas won quite a few votes as he toddled onstage in a giant white box, labelled 'Toasty O's' with fake blood smears, knives, and guns attached and announced that he was a 'Cereal Killer'. Dumbledore, dressed as Merlin, found that one quite amusing and clapped the hardest among the audience.

Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson were promptly removed after showing up as a pimp and his hooker, and Millicent Bullstrode received quite a few boos and retching noises when she sauntered onstage as a French maid in a tiny lacy black dress, a white apron, fishnet stockings and high-heeled mary janes. Ron decided right then and there to poke out his mind's eye.

To top these off, a particularly randy Ravenclaw boy walked onstage with a cigarette in his mouth, messy hair, and condom wrappers stuck to his terry cloth robe, and announced that he was 'The Morning After', and would anyone care to experience the night before? Following these, McGonnagol somehow found a way to pale even more than she'd already done.

Cho Chang received a few votes as Little Dead Riding Hood. A sixth year Gryffindor was chased from the hall after showing up in a hospital gown, gloves, stethoscope, magnifying glass round his head, chocolate pudding smeared down his gown, a 'Dr. Ben Dover' nametag, and the announcement that he was a 'proctologist'. When he began licking pudding from his gloves, a faint Hermione quickly found a seat.

The night saw a Formal Apology, complete with bowtie, a Split Personality, Lightning Victim, Green Olive and Pimento, White Trash, and even a Sand Witch. But the grand winners were two Hufflepuffs, one dressed as a gigantic salt shaker, and the other as a giant Duracell, stating that they were 'Assault and Battery'. Even Snape smiled with that one, and the award was given.

Harry felt eternally grateful once the Weird Sisters began to blare from enhanced speakers, and he and Hermione alternated between dancing near Ron and Lavender, (in which Harry and Ron tried to constantly outdo the other with really awful dance moves), and wandering round the edges of the floor in search of a game or two.

The Levitating Sherbet Ball Bob was near the same as the Muggle version of bobbing for apples, Hermione explained to Harry, who had never had the pleasure of either. They watched Casper Eustance, a Ravenclaw from the Advanced DADA class compete with a housemate on who could bob the fastest, though it was an unfair contest. Castor's Dracula teeth made it much too easy for him.

There was a table of potions (Snape had obviously done), in which the 'victim' was dared to drink a potion, and hope the results weren't permanent.

In one corner, a cluster of students were playing Pin the Wart on the Witch, Seamus, Dean and Neville were currently trying to best each other at Pumpkin Bowling, and a pumpkin pasty eating contest had already made one contestant vomit all over his Unemployed Clown costume. The sign round his neck, reading "Happy the Clown needs work…owl me. Will work for food" was currently covered in chunks.

There was a mock wizard duel going on at the other end of the hall, but Hermione chose to Fish the Witches Brew, where the contestant could reach their hand inside a cauldron and hope they fished out a candy from Honeydukes rather than Zonko's Joke Shop. But after the accidental ingestion of a few exploding bon-bons, she kept the sugar quills and gave the rest to a fifth year near them.

Harry decided later he wanted to do something a little less juvenile and convinced Hermione, Ron and Lavender to tromp round the Maze of Dread that had been conjured up outside near the Quidditch pitch. It took a lot of begging, but he and Ron were finally able to convince the girls to do it.

The four grabbed their cloaks and headed out into the briskly cool evening, though Harry could tell Hermione was shivering from much more than the cold. He wrapped an arm round her shoulders and gave her a squeeze as they crunched their way through dried leaves toward the pitch.

"Not scared are you, love? We're not even there yet."

Hermione shot him a look. "I'm not especially keen on mazes of dread, Harry."

"Neither am I," said Lavender with a shudder as she walked ahead of them with Ron.

"It's not a real one," said Ron in exasperation. "Besides, I want to see the kind of job Hagrid did on it. He was the one who set it up, you know."

"Hagrid!?" squealed Lavender, grabbing onto Ron's arm. "Swell! Can't wait to see what type of horrors he's put in there. Spiders on steroids, pools of grindylows, manticores, blast-ended skrewts…"

"He wouldn't put anything real in there," said Harry with a snort.

Hermione glanced warily at him and slowed a bit. "Harry, you know I love him but…well,…it is Hagrid we're talking about. He can be a bit…over-enthusiastic."

"Bugger!" exclaimed Ron, throwing up his hands and turning to walk backward for a moment as he addressed her. " 'Mione, could you just try being spontaneous, for once!? It'll be fine! Living on the edge can be fun every now and then, right Harry?"

"Er…" Harry scratched nervously behind his ear as he watched Hermione's eyes flash dangerously at Ron. It was a look he'd seen before.

Hermione pursed her lips in annoyance. "Fun, is it? Well Ron, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I've experienced 'the edge', as you put it, right along with you and Harry every bloody year we've been in Hogwarts! In fact, I believe I've been there, done that and brought back souvenirs!"

"Oh, do we have to mention any of that?" said Lavender feebly as she eyed the tall closely grown bushes they approached.

Ron rolled his eyes. "That's not what I mean 'Mione and you know it…"

They'd reached the opening of the large maze, which had been thankfully built as to least likely resemble the one from the Tri-Wizard Tournament in their fourth year, and Harry decided he'd better nip the conversation in the bud before it turned into a full blown row.

He held up his hands and put on his most disarming grin; the one that had charmed his way through many a situation. "All right, that's enough. Ron, you two are worse together than you and Ginny." Ron huffed in irritation and Harry turned to Hermione. "We don't have to go in, love. I just thought it would be fun…but I understand if you're too frightened of what might be in there…"

Hermione scowled instantly. "Frightened!? Who's Frightened!?" She turned to stare accusatorily at both Harry and Ron. "Do you know what I…haven't I been with…I've seen just as much as…aarrgghh!"

She growled in exasperation and blazed past Harry, Ron and an open-mouthed Lavender to stomp through the opening and down the dark trail. They heard distinct mumblings of "…the nerve…just as much as they've done…wouldn't have made it half as far without me…"

Harry shoved his hands in his pockets and made to follow her, but not before grinning covertly at Ron and giving him a cocky wink.

Ron sniggered and punched him in the arm. "Always could get to her…cheeky bastard."

Harry chuckled and made his way down the darkened maze where he knew Hermione would be waiting for him not too far down the way. Ron and Lavender followed a few minutes later.

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After many heart-stopping run-ins with creatures such as a fully grown Chimaera, (a monster with a lion's head, goat's body and dragon's tail), a Demiguise, which kept turning invisible and brushing against a terrified Hermione, a herd of particularly nasty Fire Crabs (tortoise-like creatures that shot flames from their arses), swarming Glumbumbles, annoying Imps that kept trying to pull at Lavender's scarves, and a bunch of Nifflers, which Ron begged to follow as he was sure they'd lead him to treasure, the four finally made their ways out from the maze. Ron was sure by that time Lavender had coined the phrase "NEVER AGAIN".

They'd heard others decide to try the maze after them, and saw once they'd come out that a large number of students had made their ways out to the grounds. Curfew for this night was to be ten o'clock, but several professors had followed the queue of students outside to watch over them owing to the events of recent months. No one seemed to be complaining.

The four decided to split up at that point, especially since Ron had just caught site of Ginny and Draco headed in the opposite direction of the maze and was sure they were headed somewhere to snog. As he stormed off, Hermione pleaded with Lavender to try and pound some reason into him, and she hurried off after him.

When they'd gone, Hermione smiled wickedly at Harry and grabbed his hand, leading him round the lake until they'd reached a secluded area. She pulled him close and smiled impishly up at him as he winked at her.

"I know what you did…"

Harry feigned shock. "Me?"

"Of course you, you nit. You made me tromp through that horrible maze."

Harry shook his head vehemently. "I never made you. Can I help it you can't back from a challenge? Besides…" he grinned wickedly, "I thought we might do a bit of snogging in there. Never can be sure how long it'll be getting through one of those."

"Only it was too terrifying for that, wasn't it!?" exclaimed Hermione.

Harry wisely decided to take a different tack. "You really do look smashing tonight," he said, grabbing her tightly again round the waist.

Hermione gave him a suspicious look. "Are you trying to charm me with your pirate mojo? It won't work, you know. I'll never fall for it. You've kidnapped me and taken me from my family and riches, you great dirty mercenary."

Harry grinned and then stepped back from her, affecting an angry air. "For the last time, I'm a swashbuckler, wench! And you'll do as I say or I'll have no choice but to punish you!"

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest dramatically and raised her chin. "Do your worst. I'll never give in."

"Oh won't you…" said Harry stepping closer.

"Never."

"Not a bit…"

"Not even an…in..inch…" stuttered Hermione as Harry stood inches from her face and placed his hands on his hips. He stared at her for a few moments, fixing her with a crystal green gaze until a dangerous smirk crept onto his face. Hermione felt her knees giving.

"Brave girl…" he whispered as his eyes bored into hers. "Ready to be punished?" He watched a shiver make its way slowly down her body and fought the staggering impulse to grab her and take her to the ground.

Her heart began pounding out a rapid rhythm of desire, and a thrill shot from the middle of her chest straight downward. Calm, sure, confident Hermione Granger felt herself beginning to tremble under his clear gaze. Damnhimdamnhimdamnhim… But she was determined not to let him have the victory so easily this night…

She widened her eyes seductively and leaned even closer to him, making sure to brush against him in just the right way. "Depends on what you had in mind."

And Harry's mouth went dry.

"Wh…well I…"

"I'm young," said Hermione, now revelling in the gobsmacked look on Harry's face. "I'm sure I can withstand a lot. You'll find I have high tolerance for torture…"

Harry's jaw dropped. "Hermione!"

She moved to press against him, and Harry balled his hands into tight fists, willing himself to keep control, just keep control…

"I won't give in…" breathed Hermione on tiptoes, lips close enough to brush lightly against the hollow of his throat. She felt a hard swallow travel its way down his neck and smiled against it. Who's in control now… "You'll have to keep finding new ways to discipline me…better start thinking…" She placed a finger on the hollow she'd just kissed and let it run down the open length of his shirt, down the soft black trail of hair that stopped at his navel…

The scent and sight of her shut out everything else in the world, and Harry finally reached his breaking point. He brought his hands up to fist in her hair and pulled her head back to look at her. The look of hungry desire on his face almost shocked her. He'd never looked quite so…carnivorous before. Without any more words he tilted his head and brought his lips down to hers. He began tasting her…slowly, but with such an intensity that it felt like she'd just been set on fire. She felt her knees buckle. His must have gone from under him as well, because he grabbed her and brought her to the ground with him, not caring about either of their costumes, and certainly not thinking of the fact that they might get caught. Curfew went out the window as well.

Hermione laced her fingers around the back of his neck and felt the soft fine hairs beneath the waves on his nape. She couldn't help it. She'd always loved his hair, so soft and dark and with the constant messy look, as if he'd just gotten off a wild ride on his broom. She knew he wished he could tame it, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Truth be told, she found it sexy as hell.

Harry ran his hands down her bare arms, down her barely exposed thigh, and back up toward her waist again. It seemed he couldn't get enough of touching her, tasting her, smelling her…hell, all five senses were buzzing with an electric current…one name fluttered in his head like a hundred snitches and pounded in his heart like a bludger. HermioneHermioneHermione… Her hair had come down, and Harry grabbed a handful of it, bringing it to his face as she kissed his neck, her fingernails down his back making him shiver. Long, soft, golden chestnut curls, berry scented shampoo (damn her)… soft olive skin, flawless… gorgeous bay eyes, doe eyes… a sloped feminine nose, turned up a bit on the tip (he kissed it), full pink lips, a hint of that brown colouring along the edges…gods, she was perfection, and better, she was Hermione. Hermione Granger… HIS Hermione… Hermione Potter… Hermione Anne Potter…

"Hermione Potter," whispered Hermione in Harry's ear. He leaned up to gaze at her. Had he said it out loud?

He started to say something, but the words left him, and he merely leaned up on an elbow, placed a hand under her head like a pillow and grinned down at her.

She smiled up at him and pushed a lock of hair away from his forehead. His headscarf had come off during the rolling and grabbing, and one piece stood straight up towards the back. She forced herself not to grab him and snog him lifeless again.

"Did I…out loud?" began Harry quietly.

"No," she said with a broad smile. "Not out loud. But I know you were thinking the same thing. It has a nice sound to it, doesn't it?"

Harry sighed; a happy, idiotic crazy-in-love sigh only Hermione was allowed to hear. "The best."

"Someday…" she smiled up at him.

He leaned down to place another kiss on the tip of her nose and saw she was nearly spilling out from the top of her dress. "Not soon enough for me," he said randily.

Hermione followed his gaze down and flushed a deep crimson. "Harry James Potter!" She sat up shoving him off of her and pulled up on the bodice of her dress. "You sodding perve! How dare you…"

Harry laughed and rolled over to stand and offer her a hand-up. "I never saw anything."

"…And me without a single peek at you," she finished with a mischievous raise of her eyebrow.