Swimming

Chachet1

Rating: PG13
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 5
Published: 01/02/2005
Last Updated: 02/02/2005
Status: completed

Harry and Hermione realize that they have certain feelings for each other. Takes place after graduation, on Harry's 18th birthday. This story was written for Abigail89's 'God it's bloody hot' challenge, summer 2004. This is my first ever fic. Please be gentle! :D

Chapters

1. Swimming

1. Swimming

It was a hot day in the middle of the summer; a Friday; the end of the work week.

It was also Harry's 18th birthday.

What an exhilerating week it had been though. He had just started Auror training, and although he knew in practice more than anyone at the ministry could teach him about fighting Dark Wizards, he needed to learn it all in an educational format if he was to be a “registered” Auror. Remus Lupin, his former professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, and now personal friend, called it the “finer points” of Auror training. Harry was also put under a pretty grueling exercise regiment to get him into shape for future “combat” if needed. Although he was in good shape from playing Quidditch, this was a completely different workout, and he was starting to feel it. He had muscles ache that he never knew existed.

Mentally and physically exhausted after this first week of training, he looked forward to going home a bit earlier than usual. It was his birthday today, and as this was his first birthday away from the Dursleys, his friends and adopted family (as he liked to think of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and of course, Remus) were throwing him a huge birthday party. Perhaps, he thought, to make up for all of the years he hadn't had one.

When he apparated home though, no one seemed to be there. His “home” was a large house that the twins had purchased with their earnings. They had become very successful in their ventures and decided to purchase their own place, with a small Quidditch pitch and an Olympic size swimming pool on the premises. There was also a large magical fountain at the front end of the pool, which the twins had occasionally enchanted to spill out Butterbeer, or Firewhiskey (depending on who was invited over). Harry had moved into the house with Ron, right after graduating from Hogwarts. It was probably the most exciting thing for Harry after finishing school; finally living on his own, with people who truly cared about him.

As Harry arrived home, he realized that no one had set up the cooling charms in the house. Although the house stayed relatively cool on it's own, Harry wanted to make sure that everyone was to be comfortable that evening, as they were expecting a large crowd, and it was an unusually hot day.

God it's bloody hot! Harry thought.

Checking the large Manor clock (which was very similar to the Weasley family clock), Harry saw that all of the residents of the house were either finishing up at work, or doing various errands. Certainly, no one expected him home this early.

Fantastic. Harry thought. He decided to take advantage of this time alone to unwind a bit, since he knew once the twins got there, they'd put him to work, even if it was his birthday.

I can go out and swim a few laps in the pool and cool off before anyone gets home. Harry thought to himself.

Changing out of his clothes and donning his swim trunks he headed to the back of the house toward the pool and patio area, grabbing a towel out of the linen closet on the way.

First feeling the water with his hand, then his foot, he decided to not waste any time and dive right in. In one quick leap he swam almost the entire length of the pool under water.

Oh, this is nice, thought Harry, as he came up for air. It was so relaxing to float in the water, and allow it to carry him aimlessly around the pool. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the soft trickling of the fountain when he heard a familiar voice in the distance.

“Harry? Harry, are you out there?”

It was Hermione. No doubt she had come over early to help out with the preparations.

“Harry, I called you at the ministry but they told me you had already left.”

Harry did not answer.

“Harry, I know you are home because I saw your briefcase in the kitchen, and your towel is sitting in that chair over there.”

Well, so much for avoiding the situation, Harry pondered.

During the last few weeks of the school year, he started to realize that his feelings for Hermione might be changing a bit. Oh, he still liked her alright; she was still one of his best friends, but he was starting to think of her differently. He wanted to be more than just `a friend' to her.

After the fiasco with Cho, he really didn't want to get into a serious relationship with anyone. He had dated some girls the last few years but only a handful, and he never truly felt as comfortable with them as he felt with Hermione. She understood him, without him having to explain himself to her. He was so relaxed with her. Well, of course, he thought. That's what best friends are like after all, aren't they? But, he felt something else, and couldn't explain it. He just knew he couldn't let it go.

Looking at his watch, he realized that there was still plenty of time before anyone got home. So, he decided that this was his chance to be alone with Hermione for a bit before the onslaught of people started showing up.

“Harry James Potter! Show yourself!”

At this last scolding by her, he floated out from behind the fountain as she was turning in the opposite direction, looking around the property for him. Soon, his facial expression changed at the sight of her as she stood there. She was wearing a halter-top dress in pale yellow, with brightly colored flowers on it, and matching high-heeled sandals. Her hair was swept up behind her head and her skin was nicely tanned (magically, of course). She looked stunning.

Swimming closer to her near the edge of the pool, he looked up at her. He could feel his heart beating in his throat.

“Hi.” said Harry, with a small smile.

“Oh, there you are.” said Hermione as she turned to him. She had not seen him since he started Auror training and she was anxious to talk to him. “OH!” She said again, this time noticing the fact that Harry was half naked, tanned, and glistening from the water. His arms were folded over the edge of the pool, and this made his shoulders look more defined than ever. She realized that she could not stop looking at the place where those shoulders met up with his neck. Boy does he look… different. Hermione thought to herself.

“You look really nice.” Said, Harry.

“Um, yes. Thank you”. Said, Hermione. “So do you.” Catching herself, she quickly added, “But, uh, you know me, I don't usually go through all this fuss… but, I thought… it is your birthday after all, and there are a lot of people who will be coming tonight…” she trailed off, a bit taken aback at her lack of coherent thought. His wet hair hung loosely around his head and neck, not matted as she would have thought, making him look utterly irresistible.

God it's bloody hot, she thought. I'd love to take a dip in that pool myself, especially with Harry in there.

“Um, it's really hot Hermione. Why don't you come in for a swim?” Harry asked her, his face suddenly heating up as well.

“Oh! Harry, but there's… there's so much to do.” Hermione said. She couldn't believe he had just asked her that question; it seemed as though he had read her mind. She was desperately trying to think of excuses. She was trying so hard to resist him, but it wasn't working. Why did she suddenly feel so strangely around him? Why had she never noticed before now how handsome Harry was?

“But, Hermione that can wait. We've got almost an hour before anyone comes home. Besides, you know how Ron is; he'd put the Confundus charm on you if you started doing things in the house without him there. Come on in, just for a quick swim. I can see that you're sweating”.

Yes, she was sweating all right, but not necessarily from the heat.

“Well, ok. But don't splash me. I like to get accustomed to the water slowly.”

Moving away from the edge of the pool, Harry watched her as she kicked off her sandals, and then undid the clasp behind her back, loosening a skirt from her waist. It revealed a one-piece bathing suit underneath. It looked very sexy on her; not at all revealing but very form fitting, with a V neck in front, and cut high on the thighs, framing her shapely legs. She stepped out of her skirt, placing it on one of the chairs next to Harry's towel, and proceeded to make her way down the steps of the pool. The water felt cold next to her warm skin, and she eased into the water, getting her limbs wet before she immersed herself totally.

Transfixed, Harry watched Hermione, as she cupped her hands, and poured water down her left leg, and then her right one. Then, taking one step down the stairs, she did the same with her left arm, and then her right arm. She continued to do this a few more times, letting the water trickle down the front of her as well.

Harry was treading water, but soon found that his arms could not hold him up any longer. He swam toward her, and decided to help her along with this process by splashing water at her with little movements of his hands.

“Aaaahhh!! Harry!” she cried, although she was smiling too. “I thought I asked you not to splash me!”

“Yes, but I didn't answer.” He smirked, and quickly moved away from her as she started to splash him back. Laughing, he walked closer to her again, this time, looking a bit more seriously.

“Uh, can I help you along then? I promise I won't splash anymore.”

“Um, ok.” Said, Hermione, her voice trembling a bit when she answered him.

Harry approached her again, soon cupping his own hands and pouring the pool water down her back.

“Is this how you like it?” he asked.

“Uh, yes.” She said, although she didn't remember telling her mouth to move. It seemed that the reaction in her body was not allowing her brain to work properly. She stood utterly entranced by this game they seemed to be playing. The cold water, coupled with the excitement of a wet Harry, pouring water down her body, made her quiver inside, and a warmth rushed through her that did not have anything to do with the heat.

What is happening? Thought Hermione.

Hermione found herself paralyzed. Harry was taking her by the hand and leading her into deeper water ever so slowly. All the while he continued to touch her with his fingertips, slowly dripping water on her; first, her arms; then, her shoulders; the nape of her neck; her chin, and finally, they rested at her lips. This was all happening so fast, she thought, yet it seemed like it was taking forever.

“Hermione?” He asked.

“Yes?” She said.

“Can I kiss you?”

Hermione could hardly speak, but nodded her head “yes”.

Harry moved his head forward a bit and kissed her lips. Bloody hell, they're soft. he thought. Opening his eyes he moved his face away from hers and began to smile. Hermione let out a small smile as well, so he again wet her lips with the pool water and kissed them again. Hermione's lips were both cold and warm at the same time, and he noticed she was shivering a little bit.

“Are you ok?” Harry asked her.

All she could do was nod, as all speech was gone from her at the moment. How did this happen? She thought. This was Harry, her best friend. But she wasn't having very friendly thoughts of him at the moment, here in the pool, so scantily clad and so close to her. His lips were so soft when he kissed her, and her hands wanted to wrap around his neck and shoulders. She had never touched him like this before, not without clothes. She suddenly knew what it felt like to be intoxicated, even thought she had never been drunk in her life.

Harry reached forward, holding her tighter, and kissed her harder this time. She seemed to melt in his arms.

Why did I wait so long to do this? Harry thought to himself. His tongue had moved to the front of his lips, getting a taste of hers, when Hermione pulled back.

“Ahemmm”, said Hermione. She was clearing her throat trying to will her voice box to work.

“Harry.” She said, dropping her gaze toward the surface of the water.

He just looked at her. He knew it; he had gone too far. He started rambling. “I, I'm sorry Hermione. I don't know what's gotten into me. Please forgive me. I, I guess I just got overwhelmed by the moment; you look so pretty standing there, that, I, that …

But, Hermione did not let him finish. She placed her finger to his lips and said “Shhh. You don't have to apologize, Harry.”

She reached out to take his hands in hers. She looked at them. They were so much bigger than hers now. He continued staring at her.

“Harry. I need to tell you something.” She started. “I want you to know that I'm not sorry that you kissed me. I'm a little surprised, but not sorry. Hermione paused and looked up at him. “I guess I've been sort of wishing this would happen too, but I never thought it would.”

All at once every emotion Hermione ever felt about Harry came tumbling out.

“You know, you're the Boy-who-could-have-anyone, and you're my best friend. We haven't exactly been in many romantic situations in the past. But I always cared about you, and in fifth year, when you started seeing Cho, and then Sirius, and the prophecy, well, I just couldn't stop thinking of you that summer. I just wanted to be there for you; comfort you; you had so much on your mind then. I just passed it off as compassion that I was feeling. But, as time started to pass, and you seemed to feel better, my feelings didn't change.

She continued.

“And, of course, there was Ron. I knew he liked me; it was so obvious at the Yule ball, but that ruddy prat never said anything to me, even when I tried to clue him in that I might be interested in him. Oh, he was absolutely clueless! `Emotional range of a teaspoon' was an understatement!” she huffed.

Harry looked at her and smiled a bit at this revelation.

“Well, maybe he knew that I really didn't feel the same way about him. Maybe, that's why I never said anything to you; because I was afraid you didn't feel the same way about me. Oh, I'm not making any sense!” Hermione said, exasperated with herself.

Harry shook his head back and forth.

“No, Hermione, you're making perfect sense.”

Now it was Hermione's turn to stare at Harry.

“That's one of the things that I can't get over; the fact that you understand me so much, that I barely have to speak a word for you to know how I feel. I've never felt that way with anyone else.” He paused.

“I mean, yeah, I've liked other girls, but I've always felt like I had to watch every word I was saying with them, and behave a certain way. And I've often wondered if it's truly me they want to be with, or just the name. With you, I could always be myself. I guess it just took me this long to realize that these feelings might mean more than just friendship.”

Hermione was looking down, a tear starting to fall from her eye.

Harry lifted her chin up to his face, and half-heartedly smiled at her, eyebrows raised, as if asking her if she was ok.

She nodded, and Harry grabbed her in a huge bear hug. They just stood there in the water hugging each other for a while.

“So. What do we do now?” asked Hermione.

Harry started to think about this, when they heard people talking in the garden. The twins and Ron had arrived home and were headed outside.

Harry and Hermione let go of each other and smiled.

“Harry. Are you out here?” called out Ron as he walked toward the pool.

Hermione climbed up the steps and grabbed Harry's towel to dry herself off. Harry soon followed her, instead allowing the water to drip off of him as he stood by the table on the patio.

“Oy! Harry! Did you forget what day today was?” Shouted Ron again, finally seeing Harry.

“No Ron, I didn't.”

“Hermione! Wha, what are you doing here?” asked Ron.

“I was invited, Ron.”

Ron just stood there, his face close to the color of his hair; perspiration also beading up on his forehead.

“You, you know what I mean! You two are frolicking in the water, and we've started going into a flap worrying where you two are! I'm surprised at you Hermione!”

“For what?” Scowled Hermione.

“For letting Harry go swimming when he should be getting ready, and you, YOU joined him!”

“For your information, Ron, Harry was already in the pool when I got here, and since you lot weren't here, I decided to go for a swim too.”

Ron and Hermione just stared at each other for a few minutes, neither of them willing to give in.

“Well, nice to see the cat and the rat are at it again.” Said Fred. “In we go George.”

“Right.” Said George. Turning to both Harry and Hermione, he whispered, “And mums' just gotten here too, so if you think Ron's got a bit shirty with you, just wait till she sees you two, all wet and all. She'll be ticked!”

With that, Fred and George turned to leave. “Come on Ron. Let the two popkins finish their rendez-vous.”

Ron turned to the twins with fury in his eyes.

“Just joking” said, Fred.

At this, both Harry and Hermione looked at each other. Had Fred and George seen them?

After the three Weasley boys were far enough away from the pool not to hear her talking, Hermione said, “Well, I suppose we should go in then. I suppose we shouldn't make Ron more upset than he already is.”

“Uh, yes, we should.” Said Harry, grabbing the towel from Hermione and drying his hair.

Waiting for Hermione to get dressed (she was almost completely dry, as her swim suit was enchanted with a drying charm), Harry just watched her. Hermione could feel his eyes on her.

When she was ready, they turned and started walking. After a few steps, Hermione stopped, looked at him, and reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Happy Birthday, Harry”, she smiled.

“Thank you, Hermione.” Said Harry. “You know, I think this is going to be the best birthday ever.” He smiled at her, took her hand, and they continued walking hand in hand toward the house.

8

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