Can you believe it? It was SO slow at work today, I wrote a huge update. I started at the beginning of the day then wrote off and on and by 4:30 I was done! It's a good one! Plus it's pretty long. So I hope everyone enjoys and has a great weekend!
Chapter 15
When they arrived just outside of the club, they could hear the music pumping from the inside and there was a huge line forming behind a velvet rope. Harry held onto Hermione's hand as they walked past the line, trying their best to enjoy the whispers and stares directed their way. They could catch phrases now and then as they passed.
"It's Harry Potter!"
"Who is that girl?"
"It's Hermione Granger!"
"Are they together?"
"She is so lucky!"
Harry looked down at Hermione giving her a roll of his eyes trying to lighten up the situation. She smiled with him as they finally walked up to the front of the entrance where a huge wizard stood guard. His hair was buzzed cut and his muscles practically bulged out of his tight black shirt. He had a stern look on his face but when he saw Harry he broke out into a wide grin.
"Harry, my man," he said reaching out to shake his hand.
"Hey, Mike," Harry said with a smile. "Having fun?"
"You know it."
"This is Hermione, Mike. We're celebrating the success of her new bookstore."
"Hello beautiful," Mike said grabbing her hand and kissed it. "Why don't you leave this shmuck and run away with me?"
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "That's very tempting."
Mike winked at Harry. "The ladies love me."
"I bet," he said dryly. "Everything running smoothly?"
"You bet," he said as he pulled out his wand and sliced it through the air. A roll of parchment appeared and he grabbed it from the air. "Magpie just walked in, along with your boy, Neville. I've got your list here, Harry, you can be sure to know that I won't let anyone slip by."
"Thanks, Mike." He then tugged on Hermione's hand. "Let's go inside."
"Bye Mike," Hermione said with a wave.
"Bye, beautiful," he said pulling the velvet rope aside so they could pass through. "You are welcomed here anytime."
"Thanks," she said and followed Harry into the dark and loud club.
"Stay close," Harry said holding tightly onto her hand as they maneuvered through the large crowd of people.
Hermione's eyes wandered around the club as she walked right behind Harry. There was a huge dance floor in the middle of the large room, lights flickered everywhere and the music was so loud she felt her insides vibrating. Drinks were magically floating above the crowd back and forth from the bar. Drinks filled to the rim were sent up in the air by the bartenders and she followed one all the way to someone dancing on the dance floor, who then reached up and grabbed it before sipping it greedily.
Harry finally stopped at the foot of a set of circular stairs where another bouncer stood and had another list. After a quick talk with him, he let them by and Harry gave Hermione a grin before pulling her along up the windy stairs.
The V.I.P section had the same concept as downstairs, but it was more downsized and more intimate. There was another dance floor, but it was a little smaller, plus another bar and more drinks floated above their heads. Harry led her to the far corner of the room and stepped up onto the platform that was decorated with a long and deep U shaped couch, plus a table in the middle.
"You guys are here!" Maggie said getting up from the couch where she was sitting with Neville. "We ordered a potion set and we were about to take a shot. Grab a vial!"
Harry and Hermione looked at a vial set that they used many times in potion, but these vials were filled with neon color liquids that was meant for taking shots. Harry pulled a bright orange vial and then gave one to Hermione before joining Maggie and Neville.
"To Hermione and her bookstore!" Maggie said clinking their vials together before they all slammed it back down their throats.
"Wow," Hermione said with her eyes wide and watered. "That's potent." She then smacked her lips and grabbed another one and shot it back. Hermione looked to see that they were all staring at her in shock. "What? It's really good."
Harry laughed and picked up another vial. "Well then," he said giving her a toast before taking it.
Maggie pulled Hermione aside so she could talk to her. "First of all, you look so hot, Harry's face when he saw you was priceless."
Hermione blushed. "Mags, we're just…"
"Friends, yeah, yeah," she said waving it off. "On to me…Neville is adorable."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "Adorable?"
"Yes," she said with a sigh as she looked over at Neville who was talking to Harry. "He's so painfully shy and you know I have a weakness for guys that get all flustered around me."
Hermione nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you do."
"I just want to pinch his cheeks," she said grinning as she snipped on her straw of her drink. "Both of them."
"Maggie," Hermione laughed.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked as he handed Hermione a drink.
"Maggie wants to pinch Neville's cheeks," Hermione whispered.
Harry chocked on his drink as he laughed. "What?"
"You heard her," Maggie said. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to drag him on the dance floor."
"No wonder we didn't work," Harry said as they watched Maggie pull and stunned Neville on the dance floor. "We hardly have anything in common."
"I think it's sweet," she said sitting down on the couch.
Harry sat down next to her, sitting a lot closer than normally. More people started to arrive, mostly people from their year at Hogwarts, like Dean, Seamus and Pavarti, along with the twins. The more people that sat on the couch the, closer Harry was pressed against Hermione's side. He eventually had to prop an arm behind her allowing her to now use part of his chest as a backrest.
Hermione then turned her head up towards him and Harry tilted his head down knowing she wanted to say something. "Did you invite Ginny?"
Harry was so distracted by her scent; she chose lavender tonight; and the way her breath tickled his ear, he almost didn't hear the question. "Oh…right, I forgot to tell you." Harry moved his head further down so their cheeks brushed each other as he told her about the encounter of Ginny outside the store.
"She has a date?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I don't know who he is, but she was pretty shy about it."
"How do you feel about it?"
Harry smiled softly as he moved his mouth even closer to her ear. "I'm fine," he whispered as his lips grazed her ear causing her to shiver. "Perfectly fine with it."
Hermione closed her eyes at the feel of his hot breath against her skin. He was sitting so close to her she could feel the warmth of his body radiated to hers and she so badly wanted to melt against him. "Harry…"
"Hey, Harry! Hermione!"
They both pulled apart to look over at one of the twins. "Come on, we're all going on the dance floor."
Harry looked over at Hermione with a grin before standing up and pulling her on her feet. They followed the group out on the dance floor until everyone was together in a big swarming circle. Everyone danced all in a group, throwing their hands in the air as they jumped up and down along with the music.
"Harry," one of the twins came up to him yelling in his ear. "Did you know Hermione was hot?"
"Huh?" he yelled not quite sure if he heard him right.
"Hermione," he said gesturing to Hermione, who was dancing with the other twin. "She's hot!"
"Yeah, I know," Harry said thrilled he wasn't the only guy shocked by this. "I mean she's always been cute, but tonight she looks incredible."
"Think I have a chance with her?" George asked as he bobbed his eyebrows.
Harry laughed. "You and Fred piss her off too much, so probably not. Besides, Ron would kill you when he woke up."
"Perhaps," he yelled in his ear over the music. "Personally I never thought Ron was good enough for Hermione. He never seems to know how to act around her like you do."
"What?" he yelled. "What do you mean?"
"What I said." He gave him a little shrug before dancing over to Hermione so she was now in a Weasley twin sandwich.
Harry let out a frustrating sigh as he turned to leave the dance floor. He found that their couch area was empty except for Maggie and Neville who were in the middle of a snogfest. Harry scowled at Maggie as all of the sudden it came perfectly clear on who to blame for these ridiculous reactions to Hermione.
Harry walked over to them and sat roughly next to Maggie. "I need to talk to you."
Maggie huffed out a breath as she pulled away from Neville's mouth. "Do you mind?" she asked annoyed. "We're kind of busy here."
"I do mind," he said angrily and picked up one of the vials on the table to take the shot just out of spite. "I've got a bone to pick with you."
Maggie rolled her eyes. "Fine," she said then giggled when Neville started kissing her neck. "Hold that thought, cutie." She gave him a quick kiss before turning completely around to face Harry. "Now what is so important that you felt the need to interrupt two people enjoying a good snog?"
"Why did you have to dress Hermione like that?"
Maggie blinked. "Huh?"
"Why? Everything was just fine, Mags, I didn't have any inappropriate thoughts about her until tonight."
"Oooh, I see," she said grinning. "First of all, Harry, that's a lie. I bet you have thought about Hermione that way, but it was so subtle you probably didn't catch up on it. Tonight, Hermione is dolled up so every human male in this club tonight has probably checked her out."
"You're not making me feel better, Mags," he muttered as he grabbed another vial.
"What I mean is," she said softly. "Is that these guys see what you see everyday."
Harry shook his head. "Not following."
Maggie sighed. "Did you really need Hermione to dress in a sexy dress to know she was pretty?"
"Of course not," Harry shot back. "Hermione's always been pretty."
"So? Why are you so upset then?"
"Because I…" His shoulders slumped and then he let out a frustrating groan as he collapsed against the couch. "I can't start having these desires for Hermione, Mags. Not with Ron still in a coma, it's just not right. Hermione is reserved for Ron, everyone knows that."
"Not all things turn out the way you plan them, Harry," she said giving him a slight smile. "Think about it." She then gave him a kiss on the cheek and then turned back to Neville. "Let's go, cutie."
"We're leaving?" Neville asked in a daze. "You want to leave with me?"
"Well of course," she said with a laugh as she kissed him. "Just give me a minute I'm going to say goodbye to Hermione."
Neville watched her go and then turned to a very amused Harry. "She wants to leave with me? Can you believe it?"
Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Have fun tonight." He gave him a clap on the shoulder before walking back off to the dance floor where he found Hermione in the middle of the fun.
Not all things turn out the way you plan them, Harry.
Harry let out a shaky breath as he made his way to her, slipping up behind her as he hugged her from behind. She laughed as she leaned back against him, reaching up to grab the back of his neck. "I'm having so much fun, Harry," she said in his ear as they both started to sway back and forth.
"I'm glad," he said and then took her hand from his neck and twirled her around to face him. "I haven't danced with you yet."
"Well," she said wrapping her arms around his neck. "I think it's time we did that."
"The night is still young," he said as he tugged her by the waist so she was now firmly pressed against him.
Harry decided he wasn't going to analyze everything they did or say, he was just going to enjoy being with her tonight. Where they ended up tonight was something neither of them knew, but the possibility of what could happen was what made it exciting.
XXXX
It was way past midnight when they finally stumbled home, both of them very drunk. They were both laughing about something that they had already forgotten; yet they still couldn't stop giggling.
Daisy trotted up to greet them crouched down to meet her. "There's my girl, did you miss us?"
"She probably needs to go to the bathroom," Harry said pulling Hermione back up. "Why don't you go sit down on the couch and I'll take her out."
"Okay," she said dreamily as she did a little twirl. "I couldn't possibly go to sleep yet, I'm wired."
"So am I," he said watching her stumble her way to the couch with her heels dangling from her fingers. She was such an adorable drunk. "Okay girl, let's go outside."
Daisy ran ahead of him towards the backdoor waiting impatiently for him to open the door. "I know, I'm hurrying," he said opening the door for her and then stepped out of the warm summer night.
It took Daisy awhile to finish her business, then she had to roll on the grass at least once, then gave herself a good long shake, before heading back inside. "Good girl," Harry said giving her a rub on the head as she passed him.
When he went inside he heard commotion in the kitchen and with a slight frown he walked over to see what she was up to. "What are you doing?" he asked when he found her sporting an apron over her dress while she stirred something in a bowl.
"Baking," she said as she cracked an egg in the bowl then continued on with her stirring.
"Baking?" he asked with a laugh walking to the counter that stood between them. "What exactly?"
Hermione blew her hair out of her face and rubbed her cheek, which left a long streak of flour and Harry found the sight cute as hell. "A cake," she finally said with a grin. "I don't know I just felt like it."
"Do you even know how to bake?"
"Hey, I'll have you know," she started as she stopped stirring to point the spoon firmly at Harry. This unfortunately caused a stream of cake batter to fly and land right in Harry's face. Hermione's jaw dropped and her eyes were wide as she watched Harry calmly take off his glasses, which were covered in batter. She then stifled a giggle as she covered her mouth with her hand. "I am so sorry."
"No it's fine," he said softly as he wiped more batter off his face. "In fact, it's brilliant because now I can do this." He then grabbed a handful of the flour and tossed it right in her face, causing her to gasp as she stumbled backwards. Harry just chuckled as she stood there for a moment, completely too stunned to react.
"Ooooh," she said as she laughed harshly as she began to wipe off the flower. "This means war." She then flicked more batter at him, this time twice as much as it landed down the front of his shirt.
"You want to fight, huh?" he asked as he started to round the counter.
Hermione shrieked as she tried to run away but Harry was too quick and reached out to grab her wrist. He yanked her forward as he smacked a glob of chocolate frosting down her face as she yelled and tried to get loose. She reached over to grab the can of whip cream and started to squirt it in his face, but he was able to grab her other wrist in time to avoid contact.
What "ammo" didn't remain on their face or in their hair, made it's way onto the kitchen floor, making them both slip and lose their balance. Harry laughed as he caught her around the waist with one arm and grabbed the counter with the other, pushing her up against them to anchor her firmly against him.
"So much for making a cake," Harry said breathlessly.
"We won't know now if it would have tasted good," she laughed as she picked off a piece of rainbow sprinkle out of his hair.
"Well," he said as he reached over to the half empty bowl of batter and scooped some up on his finger.
Hermione watched him off her batter-covered finger to her. "Try it," he said to her softly as he looked deeply into her eyes, almost as if he was challenging her. As her heart pounded against her chest, she calmly bent down and took his finger all the way into her mouth and then sucked the batter off in one long stroke.
The feel of her warm wet mouth surrounding his finger was so hot. His body never responded in the way it was responding now. Even the snogs he shared with Ginny weren't this much of a turn on. "Wow does it taste?" he managed to ask.
"Mmm, like heaven," she whispered and then reached over to get some more with her finger. "Would you like to taste?"
Harry quickly grabbed her wrist before she could get more batter. His eyes burned into hers, before they shifted to her mouth. "Don't mind if I do," he murmured before swooping down and pressed his lips eagerly against hers. He couldn't help himself, her lips were too irresistible…too bloody perfect and now he knew that he crossed that line and there was no going. He pushed his tongue between her lips, and she welcomed him freely as she opened her mouth to him.
Her tongue met eagerly with his as their mouths devoured one another over and over again. She let out a whimper as she clutched handfuls of his hair and arched impatiently against him, wanting so much to be close to him.
Harry groaned as he hitched her up onto the counter, gripping the back of her knees as he tugged her until she was snugly pressed up against him and her legs were locked around his waist. His mouth left hers only to run open mouth kisses down her neck while her body bowed back like a bow as she moaned approvingly.
He wanted her. Merlin, he wanted to take her right here on this counter. It would be easy, all he would have to do was unzip and sink himself into her and he would be home. His mouth found hers again and he devoured her greedily, loving the way her mouth fit over his, loving the way she responded to him so perfectly.
What was she doing? she asked herself as she felt Harry's hands work on the knot of her apron. Could she really do this? With Harry? Her Harry? She couldn't think properly. Not when Harry's mouth was doing wonderful things to her neck. Not when his hands were touching her everywhere, completely losing all her self-control. What was she doing?
Then a glimpse red hair, freckles and blue eyes flash across her mind and she was suddenly brought back to reality.
"Harry," she whispered as she pulled away from him, placing her hands on his chest. "I…I
can't." Both of them were breathing hard as Harry placed his forehead against hers, a gesture that warmed her
heart. "It isn't right."
"Hermione," he whispered as he looked softly at her. "Don't…don't say anything else."
Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. "I can't do this…it's not fair….Ron."
Harry closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped. "Ron," he repeated.
"I'm sorry," she cried shaking her head as she pushed him firmly away. When he took a step back she jumped down from the counter and ran off up the stairs.
Harry placed his hands flat on the counter as he leaned against it, trying to gain his self-control. "Dammit," he cursed softly he pushed himself off. He turned around leaning his back against the counter, before weakly sinking down onto the floor.
What was going to happen now? He now knew what it was like to kiss her. He now knew how she tasted, how she felt pressed up against her. How could she just push that all away? He never felt like this before.
Ron.
He sometimes wished Hermione wasn't so damn loyal.
Just then Daisy patted over to him walking over the mess he and Hermione had created. Harry laughed softly when she began to lick the icing and batter off his face. "Daisy, I love you, but you're not the girl I'm looking for." Harry then sighed as he gave her an affection rub. "But thanks anyway."