(Author's Note: Well, here it is, the second chapter of my original one-shot. After letting some ideas stew in my brain for a few weeks, I've come up with this. Sorry it's so short. Please review and let me know what you think. I want to especially thank everyone that responded to the first chapter and urged me to continue. All constructive criticism and other comments are welcomed! This second chapter was inspired by the song Fade Into You by Mazzy Star. Please enjoy!)
Fade into you
Strange you never knew
After drifting off into restless sleep once again in Harry's bed, Hermione awoke in the early hours of the morning to find his body pressed up against hers.
So he came back, she thought triumphantly to herself for a minute; then the realization struck that that meant they would definitely be talking about this. And where had he gone off to anyway?
Hermione shifted slightly and eased herself off the bed slowly so as not to disturb Harry's sleeping form. She wasn't so sure she wanted to talk to him just yet. Her current nudity and the steady ache between her legs reminded her of the previous night's activities; she wrapped herself in a sheet and retrieved her underwear from Harry's floor. As she got back into bed, she noticed Harry had also put his boxers back on. But he did go somewhere, she reasoned, of course he got dressed.
Hermione was surprised to find Harry's arms wrapping around her even as he slept. Was it possible he felt something for her after all?
Even as Hermione settled down and listened to Harry's steady breathing, he shifted and his beautiful emerald eyes fluttered open. Hermione smiled at him, but he only returned it with a concerned look.
"Here."
He reached over the side of the bed and brought up a tray with some food and a bouquet of flowers.
"I'm sorry I left. I went to get you breakfast."
"Thank you."
He watched her intently as she took a tentative bite of toast.
"Oh Harry, this is so awkward."
She put the toast down.
"Hermione... I'm sorry," he mumbled, fiddling with a loose string in his bedspread.
"For what?"
She shifted the tray so she could roll over in the bed and look at him.
"Well... I just feel bad... like I've used you. I mean, I knew when I asked you to - well, you know - I knew you wouldn't say no. So I guess I feel like I've taken advantage. I mean, I know it was your first time..."
She regarded him for a moment.
"Is that the only reason you asked me, and not someone else?"
"Well, no... I meant what I said while we were - well..."
He looked up.
"I do love you, Hermione."
"As a friend," she finished somewhat coolly.
"No. I - I'm in love with you."
Her head snapped up. She had not been expecting that.
"I'm in love with you too,"she said somewhat breathlessly.
"Really?"
"Really. Harry, I had no idea you felt the same... Yes, it hurt, to think you didn't return my feelings, but I would do anything for you Harry... anything. I had always hoped you would be my first," she ended somewhat shyly.
"I love you," he whispered.
He moved closer to her and kissed her lips, her cheek, her neck...
"Harry," she breathed, "make love to me... please."
He responded by rolling on top of her.
This time was more intimate than the night before; last night had been about escape, but now was about their expression of love. To Hermione, certain moments seemed to be almost in slow motion, like when they finally joined as one, but the rest was a whirl of skin, lips, and soft sighs of pleasure.
Again, Harry left her breathless and trembling against him as he rolled them over into a more comfortable position and held her close.
"I love you," he said, as he kissed the top of her head. "You are my song, my dream, my happiness, all I could ever want. I'm sorry you didn't know."
She smiled.
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew.