The Lover, the Friend and the Ex
The second full week of December arrived with a frigid chill in the air, a fresh blanket of snow and a reunited Harry and Hermione. After hearing the heartfelt declaration of love Harry made to her mother as well as the two of them having a long talk about their past relationships or in Harry's case the lack thereof; Hermione made up her mind never to have doubts about what she and Harry felt for one another and to always talk to him first rather than listening to the opinions of others. As a result of this decision she had spent the better part of the past week diligently trying to make up for having doubted him in the first place. A situation that immensely confused Harry, he couldn't understand why she felt so responsible for the whole state of affairs when he had been photographed kissing another woman, who wouldn't be upset about that. It was only after Hermione explained the reason for her foul mood on the day of his leaving that Harry began to understand the full scope of the matter.
Harry had been extremely vexed when he'd found out that Ginny was putting negative thoughts in Hermione's head where their relationship was concerned. He'd been so upset that Hermione had to restrain him to keep him from going over to Ginny's flat to give her a piece of his mind. In her zeal to stop him Hermione had nearly let Ginny's secret relationship with Draco slip. Thankfully she'd caught herself at the last moment and convinced him that like her mother Ginny thought the two of them were moving too fast. To which Harry had replied that if by her mother and Ginny's standards waiting twelve years was too fast, then she had best set to work because they would need a philosopher's stone to live long enough to have a family. That statement had set them both laughing and soon Harry's plans to row with Ginny had been forgotten. As she thought of those words seemingly for the one-millionth time since they had had that conversation Hermione smiled at the remembrance of Harry's words…he wanted to have a family…and he seemed to want to have said family with her! A dreamy expression crossed her face as she pictured a winding country lane that led to a beautiful stately cottage complete with overflowing front and back gardens, a porch swing and a doormat on the porch that read…The Potters.
Harry sauntered into Hermione's study and found her standing by the bookcases a radiant smile swathing her face. He stood there for a moment and took in the most enchanting sight he had ever seen. Harry was certain that at this very moment, somewhere on the planet, in some obscure little hamlet Hermione's very existence was a violation of some law against nature. No woman should be that bloody perfect. Harry took in the luscious curves of her body that were being expertly shown off by the form fitting work-out-suit she was wearing. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail exposing the length of her graceful neck, and the smooth delicate skin that bore the warm sweet taste of honey. She was holding a dust cloth in one hand and a can of furniture polish in the other. It was her customary day for tidying up her flat. Harry smiled to himself as he stealthily snuck around the couch and stole quietly along the wall all the while closing the distance between himself and Hermione. Without making the smallest possible sound Harry crept up behind Hermione and enfolded her in his arms and said.
"Care to tell me what has you so happy"
Hermione gasped audibly and dropped the can of polish, taken off guard by Harry's sudden presence.
"Harry…where did you come from"
Hermione turned sideways in Harry's arms and swatted at him with her cleaning cloth while he grinned at her innocently.
"451 Doncanshire Lane, London…formerly of 4 Privet Drive, Little Whining Surrey by way of Godric's Hollow"
Hermione playfully rapped Harry's shoulder and replied.
"You know you are an insufferably cheeky git"
Harry smiled wickedly.
"And you love me for it"
He lowered his head and lazily kissed Hermione's pulse point.
Hermione felt her knees getting weak as Harry rained maddeningly slow kisses up and down the column of her throat. She wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself, dropping the cleaning cloth in the process and whispered.
"No I love what you are doing to me right now I put up with your cheekiness"
Harry laughed loudly before he kissed his way up Hermione's throat and captured her mouth with his own. The kiss was a slow and passionate affair as Harry first nibbled and licked her bottom lip before gliding his tongue across it soliciting entry into the sweetness of her waiting mouth. Hermione parted her lips and encircled Harry's tongue with her own. She moaned Harry's name as the kiss deepened and she felt his hands roaming freely over her body caressing and squeezing her most sensitive spots. Harry bent down and placing his arm behind Hermione's knees lifted her into his arms and carried her to the couch. Their lips met again as Harry lowered himself down beside Hermione's prone form. Hermione pressed her body against his, her hands caressing his chest through the material of his jumper, she slipped her hands underneath and began to trace her fingers across the hard muscles of his abdomen. At the feel of her hands on his bare skin Harry sucked in a breath of air and moaned her name. Harry's fingers found their way to the front of Hermione's jacket, which he unzipped slowly and tossed to the floor. Hermione gripped the bottom of his jumper and pulled it over his head and ran her hands across his chest and arms, playfully nibbling the pulse point at the base of Harry's neck while he removed her work-out-pants. Soon the pile of discarded clothing had grown to include everything short of Harry's boxers and Hermione's white lace knickers and matching bra. Harry ran his fingers lightly up and down Hermione's inner thigh, smiled then said.
"Not exactly the type of knickers you wear to work out in, eh love"
Hermione smiled back and murmured huskily.
"That depends on what kind of exercise one has in mind"
Smiling lustfully Harry took in the sight of Hermione's smooth golden skin, the rise of her full breasts, God she was magnificent, he lowered his head and slowly kissed her bare shoulders as he deftly released the clasp of her bra with his left hand. Hermione moaned passionately as Harry flicked his tongue gently across her exposed skin. He drew her closer to him as he dipped his head lower and alternately drew her hardened nipples into his warm mouth. Hermione knotted her hands into fists as the intensity of Harry's attentions increased. He gently slipped his hand down her stomach inside her knickers where he continued his torturous caresses. Hermione shuddered and her breathing quickened as Harry kissed and caressed her body, the desire he was creating in her was becoming deliciously intolerable. She pulled Harry's lips up to her own and kissed him to stifle the fiercely violent screams erupting from her as Harry caressed her closer and closer to release. Feeling the mounting desire in both their bodies Harry promptly removed their remaining articles of clothing as the two of them came together. His hands found hers and they intertwined as he slipped inside her warmth. Hermione's carnal whimpers of pleasure played a matching melody to his own moans of passion. She tightened her hold on Harry and gave herself over to the wonderful sensations coursing through her body, urging him deeper inside her, their cries of ecstasy bounded about the room as they reached the pinnacle of their lovemaking at exactly the same moment. Spent they lovingly held each other until the trembling of their bodies subsided.
Hermione lay in Harry's arms idly tracing the words `I love you' across his chest and abdomen with her forefinger. Harry felt the customary tug in his groin that always alerted him to his arousal. He grabbed Hermione's hand and turning it palm up kissed it sweetly as he said.
"You keep that up and you'll never get your knickers back on"
Hermione smiled contentedly and rolled over on top of Harry's horizontal figure, planting feather light kisses across his chest as she spoke.
"You're assuming I want them back on in the first place"
Having said that Hermione slithered up Harry's body and began kissing him slowly while her hands drifted down between his thighs. The feel of Hermione's hand caressing his erect member sent a shudder of yearning straight through Harry and he groaned forcefully as he felt her slender legs straddling him. He tried to speak but found himself unable to articulate a single sound while he felt himself hardening under Hermione's expert care. As Hermione enfolded him Harry's hands gripped her waist reveling in the rhythmic undulations of her hips. Hermione leaned forward and kissed him passionately as they once again traveled the road of ecstasy.
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Harry slipped his jumper over his damp black locks. Hermione walked up behind him and wound her arms around his waist and gave him a loving squeeze. Harry turned around and kissed her gently on the lips and mouthed the words `I love you'. Hermione smiled and returned the gesture by mouthing the words `I love you too' as she ruffled his damp head of hair.
"You had better dry that before you go…its cold out and I don't want you getting sick"
Harry smiled and replied.
"That's very motherly of you"
Hermione ignored his comment and motioned for him to sit down on her bed. Harry complied with her request and sat on the bed while she used a drying spell to wring the remaining water from his hair. When she was finished she sat down on his lap looped her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly on the cheek. Harry hugged her to him and said.
"I should get going"
Hermione nodded mutely. Harry kissed her lips one last time before setting her on the floor as he stood to his feet. Hermione spoke.
"Give my best to Remus and owl me as soon as you know anything"
"I will"
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you"
Harry took Hermione's hands in his own and answered.
"Remus can hardly bear me seeing him after he's had a transformation…add to that this one was a particularly bad one and I'm certain that if I brought you along next full moon he'd bite me on purpose"
Hermione smiled at Harry's attempt at humor.
"Both you and Remus are abysmal at potion-making…not that he could help in his present condition…and Glynnmoor is miles from any sort of wizarding hospital…"
Harry interjected.
"After Dobby came to fetch me I sent him off for Wendlyn Carlyle…you know the healer we met at St. Mungos last year when Ron took that bludger to the head. She fancies Remus seems they've been out a few times...don't worry love, everything's gonna be fine"
"All right but owl me as soon as you know anything"
"I will I promise"
Harry bent down and pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead then disapparated with a pop.
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After Harry set off for Glynnmoor to look after Remus Hermione once again set about cleaning her flat. And though she preferred the muggle way of cleaning (some habits were hard to break) her mid-morning/early afternoon interlude with Harry had put her hopelessly behind schedule. Realizing that she would be cleaning for the remainder of the afternoon if she did it her preferred way Hermione compromised and enchanted her favorite muggle cleaning supplies and set them to work in various rooms of the flat while she tackled her bedroom, the bath and the kitchen. Tired and sweaty from the exertions of the day Hermione rushed upstairs for a long hot bath. After drying her hair and slipping into her favorite pair of jeans and an old Gryffindor sweatshirt Hermione plodded downstairs to find something to eat. Humming to herself she strolled into the kitchen and opened the cooler looking for something to assuage her hunger when a voice from behind her rang out.
"Hope you're not looking for something substantial in there all you've got is bloody rabbit food"
Hermione jumped a foot in the air and nearly banged her head on the upper door of the cooler she was so startled by Ron's sudden appearance in her kitchen.
"Bloody hell, Ron…don't sneak up on me like that…for Merlin's sake you could give someone a heart attack doing that"
Hermione placed her hand over her chest and closed her eyes and concentrated on slowing her breathing. Ron choked back a howl of laughter.
"Sorry didn't mean to frighten you"
Hermione opened her eyes and seeing the humor etched on Ron's face replied sarcastically.
"Oh yes I can just see the repentance written all over your face"
Ron smiled.
"Really I'm sorry…let me make it up to you…how bout dinner…my treat"
Hermione raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Your treat…I hope that means you're buying"
Ron replied.
"Ha ha very funny Hermione but I'll have you to know that I'm a quite excellent cook"
"Cooking up disaster and mischief…yes…ingestible food…no"
Ron pulled a face as Hermione giggled and replied.
"Give me a second to change and we can go"
Ron took in the well-worn jeans and the `Go Gryffindor' sweatshirt Hermione was wearing and sincerely responded.
"What's wrong with what you have on…you look great to me"
Hermione smile brightly and patted his cheek affectionately.
"Thank you Ron that was very sweet of you to say but I'm not dressed for public viewing…now you wait right here it'll only take a second"
Ron followed Hermione's directions dutifully and allowed himself to be steered into Hermione's lounge. He took a seat on the couch and watched as Hermione strolled out of the room and headed upstairs to change. She'd never made the effort to change before. They were probably just going to grab something at The Pitch or the Leaky Cauldron nothing fancy. It wasn't even as if his own attire was anything spectacular. True he'd been careful to make sure he looked presentable…no mismatched socks or bright colors that clashed with his hair, just a simple pair of jeans a dark blue jumper and his nicest pair of dragon hide boots. Ron smiled to himself this could only mean one thing, Harry must have been right about Hermione being interested in him after all. They hadn't seen much of each other since he'd been picked for the keeper's spot on the national team; the games and practices kept him very busy so there was very little opportunity for the two of them to get together. There was also the matter of his not having told her or anyone else how he felt about her. Even after he'd confided in Harry about the true nature of his feelings for her it had taken awhile to get his nerve up enough to ask her out and since he still hadn't quite worked up the nerve he thought a friendly dinner invitation between friends might do the trick. He could spend some time with Hermione without the pressure of a date looming over his head and hopefully he could suss out her feelings toward him. Ron's thoughts were interrupted by Hermione's reappearance. She had traded in her faded jeans for a pair of low-slung, hip hugging jeans that accentuated every curve of her hips. She'd paired the jeans with a clingy black jumper that just skimmed the top of her low cut jeans and a rather sexy pair of high heeled-black leather boots. Her hair was done up in an intentionally messy sort of ponytail and her face held just a hint of makeup…not that she needed it to begin with, she looked absolutely gorgeous. Ron blinked rapidly as Hermione quizzed him.
"Is this all right…since I had no idea where we were going I tried for middle of the road…have I overdone it or did I aim too low…"
Ron found his voice and replied.
"Aim's perfect…you look bloody fabulous"
Hermione smiled.
"Where are we going then"
Ron answered still staring dumbly at Hermione.
"Ummm…er…I…I was thinking the Leaky Cauldron or The Pitch…unless you fancy something different"
Hermione chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully for an instant before responding.
"The Leaky Cauldron caters to a dodgy clientele on Saturdays…and The Pitch is sure to be full to bursting with your Quidditch mates getting pissed out of their minds. I'm not much up for watching hags and vampires eat raw animal organs and drinking blood nor am I in the mood for fending off the unwanted attentions of a bunch of randy beaters and chasers…how about MacDougal's…still Diagon Ally but guaranteed to be quieter"
Ron replied.
"MacDougal's it is then"
Hermione nodded approvingly while she slipped into her leather jacket. Ron offered her his arm, which she accepted with a smile.
MacDougal's was on the opposite end of Diagon Ally from The Pitch. It was nestled between an obscure little bookshop that sold hard to find out of print volumes and an apothecary that specialized in love potions. However the wizarding pub did a fairly brisk amount of business though its patrons were much more tame than what one saw at the Leaky Cauldron and The Pitch on a Saturday night. As one would expect Ron's arrival caused quite a stir. A hush descended on the room as the crowd craned their necks to see if the tall red head was indeed the Ron Weasley. Once their suspicions had been confirmed Ron and Hermione were deluged by a wave of fans who wanted to shake Ron's hand, get an autograph or congratulate him on some superb save he'd made in a game. Hermione quietly stepped aside and allowed Ron his moment in the sun. She smiled to herself indulgently as she thought of the countless times she and Ron had been shunted aside by Harry's well-wishers. Often she had seen a glimmer of longing in Ron's eye; he had so badly wanted some of that attention for himself. It was nice to see him finally being recognized in his own right. After a few minutes of signing autographs and taking a few photos Ron excused himself from the crowd and steered Hermione to a secluded table near the back of the tavern. Ron held out Hermione's chair for her and said.
"Sorry about all the fuss back there"
Hermione replied.
"No need to apologize I am quite accustomed to it"
Hermione picked up the menu and began looking it over while Ron stared at her in wonder and asked.
"You're used to it…how in the world have you gotten used to that"
Hermione looked up and replied.
"Well considering the fact that one of my best friends is the Boy-Who-Lived international hero turned international Quidditch star, my other best friend is known the world over as the best mate to the Boy-Who-Lived and is fast becoming an international Quidditch star in his own right, not to mention the fact that the last bloke I dated was an international Quidditch star…judging by that I would say I am probably more accustomed to that sort of thing than you are"
Ron smiled and nodded in agreement.
"I guess I never really thought about how often you have to put up with that sort of rubbish because of us"
Hermione responded.
"Consider it a labor of love"
Ron's smile broadened at Hermione's choice of words as he said.
"Shall we order then"
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Hermione entered her flat and smiled, it was always so nice to walk into a neat orderly space especially after a night out with friends. Hermione had just spent a pleasant evening out with Ron. They'd had dinner at MacDougal's Tavern and caught up on each other's news of the past few weeks and then as neither of them was in any rush to go home just yet the duo set off to find something to entertain themselves. Eventually they stumbled across a muggle winter carnival; Ron never having been to one was curious about the sort of non-magical amusements muggles might get into and was keen to have a look. Hermione who had always loved any type of carnival was more than happy to show him the sights. He had been very skeptical of the good sense of anyone riding what he called a `giant pinwheel' similarly he was equally confounded by Hermione's adoration of the `spinning top horses' but he found the food to be more than satisfactory. After stuffing his already full stomach Ron had tried his hand at several of the games the carnival had to offer and once he got the hang of it he had won her a teddy bear. The evening had been very pleasant indeed and the only thing that could have possibly made it more so would have been Harry's presence. As she started to climb the stairs Hermione made a mental note to get Harry down to Little Edmundton before the carnival was over. She was so lost in her musings that she did not notice the man standing beside the fireplace until his familiar accent caressed her name.
"Her-my-oh-knee"
Hermione froze in mid stride and slowly rotated herself on the stairs, staring in the direction of the voice. Slowly Viktor Krum emerged from the shadows and came to stand at the foot of the staircase. Hermione was momentarily dumbstruck; what in Merlin's name was Viktor doing in her flat? As if he were a Leglimens Viktor replied.
"I vos in the neighborhood and thought I vould pop in and say hello"
Hermione nodded mindlessly as she retraced her steps and came back down the stairs. She stopped on the very last stair and looked at the man who she had once thought she loved with all her heart. Looking at him now she wondered how she could have ever been so wide of the mark. Viktor watched her; he knew that look very well it was the look she always had when she was lost in thought. He reached out and gently called her name again as he stroked her hand.
"Her-my-oh-knee"
Hermione instantly raised her head and focused her attentions back on Viktor. She slipped her hand from his grasp and asked.
"Viktor what are you really doing here…as I recall you were never one for dropping in unannounced"
Hermione descended the remaining stairs and strode purposefully towards the kitchen placing her jacket and teddy bear in the overstuffed chair as she went. As she entered the kitchen she snapped her fingers and the lights instantly flickered on. She walked over to the sink and filled the kettle with water before setting it on the stove to boil. Viktor sat down at the kitchen table and spoke.
"Vell you haffen't exactly been responsive to my requests. All of my letters and gifts haff been returned unopened and vhen I asked to see you for your birthday you declined my invitation…vhat vos I to do…how else vos I to see you"
Hermione replied scathingly.
"Perhaps you should have taken the hint that I didn't want to see you"
Viktor rose from the table and came to stand behind Hermione. He placed a hand on her shoulder and said quietly.
"Her-my-oh-knee…I am sorry…that other witch meant nothing to me…it vos a mistake…"
The kettle began to whistle shrilly Hermione removed it from the heat as she turned to face Viktor, hot angry tears cascaded down her cheeks as her voice came out in a violent shriek.
"SHE MEANT NOTHING TO YOU…SHE MEANT NOTHING TO YOU…IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER…IS THE FACT THAT SHE WAS JUST SOME NAMELESS, FACELESS QUIDDITCH BINT JUSTIFICATION FOR YOU SNEAKING AROUND WITH HER…DID YOU HONESTLY THINK THAT YOU COULD SHAG HER BECAUSE SHE MEANT NOTHING TO YOU…WAS IT SUPPOSED TO HURT ME ANY LESS BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T CARE FOR HER AT ALL…WERE THE REST OF THEM AS MEANINGLESS TO YOU AS SHE…WAS I…"
Viktor stared at Hermione in astonishment as she continued her rant.
"OH YOU'RE SURPRISED THAT I KNEW ABOUT THE OTHERS VIKTOR…I DON'T BELIEVE YOU…I DON'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO COME HERE AFTER EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE TO ME…I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN LOVE WITH ME…I THOUGHT THAT I WAS IN LOVE WITH YOU…THANK MERLIN WE BOTH FOUND OUT THE TRUTH BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE"
Hurt and confused by Hermione's words Viktor replied.
"HER-MY-OH-KNEE I DO LOVE YOU…"
Hermione glared at Viktor and answered him solemnly.
"But I don't love you"
Viktor's eyes widened in surprise, as Hermione pushed past him. He reached out and grabbed her wrist pulling her into his arms.
"You can't mean that"
Hermione struggled to free herself of Viktor's hold on her but his grip was too strong.
"Viktor let go of me"
"Her-my-oh-knee…you don't mean vhat you are saying…you can't"
"Viktor I said let me go"
Suddenly a familiar enraged baritone rang through the room.
"KRUM…LET…HER…GO"
Harry crossed the room in what appeared to be a single stride and gently but firmly detached Hermione from Viktor's grasp. He placed himself between Hermione and Viktor; tilting her chin slightly he whispered to her lovingly.
"Mi…love…are you all right…did he hurt you"
Hermione replied.
"I'm fine Harry"
Harry looked at Hermione's tear-stained face and turned to face the man who had caused them. He spoke quietly.
"Hermione asked you to leave…so…get out…NOW"
Viktor looked past Harry's angry scowl directly at Hermione and said.
"Her-my-oh-knee please let me explain"
Harry took a step toward Krum but stopped when he felt Hermione's hands grasping his own. She stepped closer to him and slipped her arms about his waist. Viktor immediately caught the intimate implications of the gesture and heaved a defeated sigh and said.
"Her-my-oh-knee I truly am sorry"
He disapparated without another word. Harry stared at the space where Krum had been moments before fists clenched.
"I should have kicked his bloody arse…coming here upsetting you like that…who the hell does he think he is…"
Hermione grasped Harry's face in her hands and kissed him, bringing his tirade to an abrupt halt. Harry stared at her with a perplexed expression on his face, after a moment he asked.
"Did you mean what you said about not loving him"
Hermione looked thoughtfully at Harry and smiled that beautiful smile he so adored.
"Yes…I meant every word I said to him…knowing what I know now…the way I feel about you…I…"
Hermione paused for a moment as Harry took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. She took a deep breath and continued.
"There were some things I needed to say to him…things I should have said a long time ago…its not good to let some things fester…but all of that is over now…Viktor Krum is no longer a part of my life…"
She paused again and gazing into his eyes she said.
"You're the only man in my heart"
Harry smiled and pulled Hermione into his arms and kissed her lips gently.
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