Chapter 4
Hermione tried to relax inside the tub, but every time she closed her eyes, visions of her best friend surrounded her. They weren't just ordinary visions. She envisioned him in his birthday suit, not that she knew what he looked like underneath his robes, but she had seen his bare chest many times, hadn't she? Why did it make a difference now? She must have lost more than her memory at this point. She definitely lost her mind if she keeps thinking along those lines.
Instead of being relaxed with a hot bath, she became more agitated at herself for her line of thought. Besides she's delusional if she thought Harry felt anything more than friendship for her. He could have anyone in the world at his beck and call. Why would he settle for plain Hermione Granger.
Her memory might have faded a bit, but Hermione remembered well what Harry's types were - beautiful, long dark straight hair, smart and well endowed apparently - which in her estimation she only fulfilled one of the requirements. She was only fooling herself if she thought otherwise.
Her argument with herself came to an abrupt stop when a soft knock sounded on the bathroom door.
"All right there, Hermione?" came the voice that had been affecting her in the most peculiar way. It had to be her mind playing tricks on her.
"I'm all right, Harry. I'm nearly done."
"Take your time. I was just going to make some tea, would you care for any?"
"That would be great, Harry. Thank you."
As Harry walked to the kitchen, his mind wandered to the person who seemed to currently take up a lot of his thoughts. What could it mean? He knew it was nothing physical because he'd had many offers on his way home, but he'd declined them all. Maybe he was losing his mind after all. There were many times when he thought he'd lost it during the training, especially when the dreams came.
He'd dreamed the battle over and over and each time one of his friends died instead of Voldermort. He'd wake up soaked in perspiration, and would thank Merlin everything hadn't turned out the way his dreams did.
When Hermione appeared at the kitchen entrance a few minutes later, the blood drained Harry's head straight into parts that he'd rather not have react at that point in time. Hermione's fresh scrubbed face surrounded with wisps of damp tendrils framing it just about did him in. She looked so beautiful, helpless yet strong all at once. He knew he'd definitely lost his mind. She was her best friend for Merlin's sake.
He merely froze almost sure he had a stupid look in his face. He was lucky he didn't drop the mugs when she walked in. The Auror training came in handy at that time. Thank Merlin for small favors.
Hermione saw the incredulous look on Harry's face and wanted to laugh. But since he kept staring she started to get self-conscious. Was it something on her face? Did she forget to wipe the toothpaste from her mouth?
"Er.. Harry? Is there something on my face?"
"Er.. no. Sorry. You just caught me by surprise. I didn't think you'd be down so soon."
"Oh, come on. The world's greatest auror getting startled by Hermione Granger, that's rich."
Harry felt his face burn with embarrassment. The red must equal the color in the Gryffindor common room couches.
"I'm only teasing, Harry. Sorry, I startled you."
"No, no. I know you're teasing. I … well never mind. Would you like me to pour you a cup?" She nodded. Harry was thankful for being a wizard. There was no way he could have moved at the state he was in. He levitated the cup straight where Hermione decided to sit near the counter. He needed to get control of himself before he moved closer to her. Merlin! It's going to be a long couple of weeks. Or more!
"Harry, what is it?" She saw how uncomfortable he looked. She knew that everyone was being unfair to him. He did just get back from training and was shoved straight to work. If the shoe were on the other side, she was sure she would be irritated. However happy and safe she felt that Harry was with her, she didn't want to burden him unnecessarily. He looked so cute when he was uncomfortable. Where did that come from?
"What do you mean?"
"You look a little out of sorts. Are you sure you're okay with the arrangements?" He smiled. If you only knew he thought.
"I'm fine. You're my best friend. There isn't anywhere I'd rather be."
"Thanks, Harry." She smiled brilliantly. He was sunk. He needed a cold shower.
"You're welcome. I think I'll just go take a shower." He walked as quickly as he could. Thank Merlin for Robes. He was relieved he thought of putting them on after he'd arranged the room.
It was Hermione's turn to imagine. It wasn't long until her body heated. She bit her bottom lip and tried to analyze what was going on with her. She was acting like a hormonal teenager. She chuckled because she actually never did feel as a normal teenager, so feeling like a hormonal teenager was some what new to her. Even Ron never quite made her feel so feverish. She'd definitely lost her marbles. Maybe it was time she lost her virginity as well. Wouldn't that shock Harry to no ends. She was a 22 year old virgin.
She'd never really thought about it before. She'd figured Ron would be her first after they were married. She'd been too busy at work. She wondered now whether it was intentional on her part. There were times and she and Ron almost consummated their relationship, but she remembered clearly that it was always her who stopped them from getting any further. Now all she can think of is the deed, with her best friend no less.
She wondered as she put the cups away if maybe Harry had always been the reason that she and Ron were never intimate. Her sudden realization excited her and disturbed her at the same time. How could she have agreed to marry Ron if all this time she'd been attracted to Harry? What a crazy feeling. What a crazy notion all together. The Harry Potter taking notice of little Hermione Granger would probably happen when hell freezes over.
She was deep in thought as she walked back to her room. She was about to open her door when the door to the bathroom opened. Harry stood before her with only a towel.
"Er.. sorry. I forgot my pajamas."
Hermione stood rooted to the floor with her hand on her bedroom door. She took her time perusing his body at leisure. Her body heated to a degree that would probably be off the thermometer. A slow ache in the pit of her stomach began to form. Her thoughts became incoherent.
"Don't look at me like that Hermione." Harry told her. She hadn't realized he'd moved closer to her. He was so close she could feel the heat from his body.
Harry's cold shower didn't help one bit especially when he saw the desire in Hermione's eyes. He was surprised at first, but the wanting instantly took over when he noticed the way Hermione looked at him.
"What?" she asked dumbly.
"You know what."
"Harry…" She moved closer to him as if an invisible magnet pulled her to him. They were face to face despite the difference in height. Harry leaned down so that they were eye to eye.
"Hermione.." That was the last word before his mouth took hers.
The instant fire between them would have melted an iceberg. The more Harry tasted the more he wanted. He just couldn't seem to stop himself any longer. The feelings he'd been holding in for Merlin knows how long poured out into the kiss.
Hermione's mind went blank. She'd never felt the desire and passion the way she felt at that moment. Not even with Ron. She and Ron never went far. She knew something kept stopping her. She knew this was what had stopped her many times. This was what she'd been waiting for.
Harry opened her door and carried her inside without breaking the kiss. He laid her down on her bed and proceeded to kiss her, everywhere.
"Harry…" she sighed.
He was like a man possessed. He knew he should slow down, but he couldn't seem to stop himself.
"Harry, I've done this before." Harry stopped. It was as if the iceberg just melted all over him.
"What? Haven't you and Ron." She shook her head. The desire in her eyes had not yet died.
"Merlin." He tried to get up, but she pulled him down. She was the aggressor. She needed to release all the feelings that had been building up in her system since they started their dance.
Harry pulled up again. "Hermione, are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Harry."
"But."
"Sshh." She pulled him down again for another brain numbing kiss. That was the last each muttered a word.
Hands explored. Mouths explored. Each experiencing something beautiful and exciting for the first time in their lives. Although Harry had been with a few women, he'd never experience the mind boggling desire as he had at that moment.
A/N: That took a long time didn't it? Sorry about that. Been busy with summer school and other things. Hope this chapter will keep you sated until the next one. Hopefully it will arrive sooner that the last ones. Thank you for your kind reviews.
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