Chapter 5: Senseless
It had been one week since Ron and the others had enacted their plan and began slipping a dose of the Scintillatus Solution to Harry and Hermione in their morning goblet of pumpkin juice. Ron and Ginny had relayed the incident with the broom ride as well as their conversations with Harry and Hermione to group about their rather suddenly taking note of each other's attractiveness. Lavender and Pavrati had sighed and tittered so much about that bit that Ron had nearly regretted telling them. The episode had also prompted the girls to come to the conclusion that another dose of the potion was needed. So they had continued sneaking a hefty dose of the potion into their morning juice for the past week with mixed results. The results were viewed as mixed because it depended on who was interpreting them whether or not they supported the notion that the two where any closer to being a couple than they had been before.
For example, Pavrati had pointed out on Monday that the two were spending an awful lot of time together. Dean reminded her that they had always spent a lot of time together. Several days later, on Wednesday to be precise, Ginny had attempted to help Pavrati's case by reminding everyone how Harry had been steering clear of Serena Chambers since he'd drank the potion. Everyone agreed that he did seem less keen on her than he had been before but then Seamus had pointed out that Harry seemed to have also given up his over-protectiveness of Hermione's honor and person. Seamus told them that he had witnessed Ernie McMillan asking Hermione out in full view of Harry and that Harry hadn't uttered a single word nor had he made any threatening gestures. Neville tried to brighten the low mood of the group on Friday by reminding them all that Hermione had taken to wearing her hair down and true though that was it did very little to improve their low spirits.
It was then that Lavender announced that perhaps a stronger dose of the potion was needed. Lavender said that she had anticipated that something of this magnitude may happen and that she had planned for just such an eventuality by getting enough ingredients to make the potion at least four times all the while increasing the amounts of plants used to make it stronger. At this suggestion Pavrati's eyes had quite curiously swelled to three times their normal size and looked as though they were threatening to pop right out of their sockets. The rest of the group however took Pavrati's shock as her being impressed by her best friend's thoroughness as they were. Lavender informed them that all she had to do was add the last ingredients to the fresh batch of potion and it would be ready for consumption the following morning. After praising her well organized well thought out plan the comrades in arms parted ways as Lavender set off to complete the latest batch of the potion.
And so it came to pass that next day; it was a dreadfully cold Saturday morning, that the entire team watched covertly over goblet rims, through lowered lashes and around morning editions of the Daily Prophet and letters from home as Harry and Hermione once again unwittingly drank a more generous than usual dosage of the new and improved and hopefully more powerful Scintillatus Solution. Harry took a swallow of his juice then set down his goblet and frowned.
"Does the pumpkin juice taste a bit off to anyone else?"
Everyone quickly shook their heads or murmured that theirs had tasted fine. Hermione however was taking a drink from her goblet as Harry raised his question and as such she could not respond at the exact moment the question was asked. However, as she lowered her goblet to the table she too frowned in that manner she had when she was considering something, she then licked her lips and replied.
"It does taste quite a bit different than usual."
Harry had intended to look up when Hermione began speaking but the sound of her voice was different than it usually was. At least he supposed it was different…he couldn't ever really recall having paid attention to what it sounded like before this moment. He could tell you what she sounded like when she was angry or in a huff about something. He could even tell you if asked how she sounded when she was in deep contemplation but he couldn't honestly remember the sound of her everyday, everything is perfectly normal voice before this very moment. A fact that he was sorely berating himself for. Eyes still lowered he waited knowing that Hermione was attempting to suss out what was different about the taste of the pumpkin juice. His patience was rewarded shortly thereafter when she spoke again.
"It's neither sweet nor bitter it's more earthy…I can't place it exactly…but it's very familiar…"
She paused and took another sip frowning in concentration as she attempted to force her brain to produce the information she needed. Harry was sitting with his eyes closed waiting for Hermione to speak again. He couldn't explain it but Hermione's voice was different than usual…it was soft and calming and if he listened carefully enough he imagined he could tell whether she was smiling, laughing, frowning or gnawing her bottom lip just by listening to the slight variances in the intonations. Suddenly his thoughts about Hermione's voice were interrupted by the very sound he had been contemplating.
"Its ginger! That's what's different…there is the tiniest hint of ginger in this pumpkin juice!"
Hermione smiled triumphantly at her own cleverness then she frowned as she wondered how she had sussed that out. The taste was barely perceptible yet she had managed to pick it out. Harry meanwhile continued to sit with his eyes closed marveling at the wonderful melodic sound of Hermione's voice as she articulated her puzzled thoughts in a barely audible whisper.
"Hmmm…I wonder why I never noticed that before."
At that moment Ron looked over and seeing the rapturous expression covering Harry's countenance. He shook him by the shoulder roughly and asked.
"You okay there mate?"
Harry frowned at the sound of Ron's brash voice replacing the more melodious tones of Hermione's. He replied stiffly.
"I'm fine."
As Harry's voice drifted across the table Hermione sat up straight in her seat and peered at him from beneath her long dark lashes. Had Harry's voice always sounded that low and sexy? Of course she was aware that his voice had changed. So had Ron's and Neville's and Dean's and Seamus' and all the other boys that she knew but none of them sounded like that. None of their voices sounded deep like slow rumbling thunder then poured out of their mouths smooth and thick like warm honey. None of the other boys' voices caused the skin on her neck and arms to rise and prickle. Nor did any of the other boys' voices cause her to squirm in her seat as she was currently doing either. Hermione froze as she realized the rather lurid turn her thoughts were taking. What in the name of all that was decent was going on with her?
Glancing across the table Ron noted the rather rigid manner in which Hermione was sitting in her seat starring at Harry. He was about to ask her what was wrong but Harry beat him to it.
"Hermione is something the matter?"
It took Hermione a second to process the fact that Harry was speaking to her. Shaking herself she responded unevenly.
"Ummm…wha…what was that you asked?"
Harry stared right at Hermione and replied to her inquiry as he thought to himself that it made perfect sense that Hermione had such a lovely sounding voice, as Merlin certainly wouldn't have made a creature as exquisite as she was without giving her a voice to match her beauty.
" I asked you if something was wrong…you're staring."
Hermione blushed as she replied.
"Nothing's wrong. I just remembered that I left my cloak upstairs…I'll need to fetch it before we head off to Hogsmeade."
Hermione excused herself from the table and rose from her seat quickly and darted off to Gryffindor tower. Hermione `s mind was racing along nearly as fast as her feet were carrying her as she ran up the flights of stairs to the Gryffindor common room. By the time she entered the tranquil sanctity of her bedroom Hermione was out of breath and confused. Why in the name of Merlin was she acting so strangely about Harry? She had heard his voice more times in the past six or seven years than she could count and it had never had this kind of an affect on her before. Honestly she was acting like one of those daft groupies of his. She needed to take a moment and figure out what in the name of Merlin was going on. Unsteadily she crossed the room and collapsed onto the bed. Her mind floundered about for a moment then she realized that for the past week she'd found herself looking at Harry and having the most inappropriate thoughts. It had started last Saturday; at the time she'd thought it was nothing more than a passing notion. But the involuntary reactions her body had just performed in response to Harry's voice made it clear that whatever was happening to her it was decidedly more than a passing notion. Hermione was brought back to the present by a knock on her bedroom door. She unthinkingly called out for the person to come in. She bit down on her bottom lip and drew blood as Harry strode into the room.
"Gin sent me up to see what was taking you so long."
Hermione cried out in pain.
"Ouch!"
Harry looked down and saw Hermione holding then wiping at her mouth. In two seconds he was crouched before her gingerly pulling her hands away from her face.
"What happened?"
His voice was low and awash with concern and sexier than she ever remembered it being. Hermione felt the hairs on her arm prickle as she replied breathlessly.
"I bit my lip."
Harry slipped his left hand into Hermione's hair and slightly leaned her head back. With a snap of his fingers he conjured a handkerchief in his right hand and softly dabbed at her bleeding lip. His sexy baritone swept over her in a whisper as he muttered the words.
"That'll leave a bruise."
He removed the handkerchief and carefully ran his thumb across Hermione's bruised lip and mumbled the incantation.
"Healatus Portentious."
Harry didn't remove his thumb from Hermione's lips even after the healing spell had been cast and taken effect. He simply stayed where he was kneeling in front of her staring into her gorgeous chocolate brown eyes as he asked.
"Better now?"
Hermione who was likewise immobilized simply nodded her head unable to speak. The close proximity of Harry to her was causing a rather strange sensation in her body. She felt simultaneously dazed and confused as well as acutely focused and aware. She was dazed and confused in that she was unable to move or form a coherent thought or phrase, yet she was hyperaware of every detail concerning Harry. The scent of his soap, the feel of his Quidditch roughened palms against her skin, the startling intensity of his eyes…had they always been that precisely perfect shade of dark jade. Again Hermione was startled out of her ruminations by Harry's deep velvety tones.
"We should get going."
He was standing now, extending his hand to her. Hermione placed her hand in his and slowly rose to her feet. As their hands touched a pleasurable jolt seemed to run through Hermione's body but was lost all too soon as Harry let go of her hand. He walked the short distance to the door and stepping aside waited for Hermione to pass through ahead of him. Hermione retrieved her cloak from the back of her desk chair and taking a deep breath strode out the door with Harry close at her heels.
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Ron, Lavender, Ginny and the others were waiting for Harry and Hermione near the large oak front doors of the castle. Lavender glanced around the vicinity to make sure no one was listening then said to the group.
"I've been thinking…"
She paused and glanced towards the stairs presumably to look for Harry and Hermione, seeing no one she continued.
"Since we've revved up the potion a bit I think it might be a good idea to give Harry and Hermione some time alone while we're in Hogsmeade."
Neville spoke up.
"But they think we're all going to be spending the day together…won't it look strange if we all suddenly remember we have other plans?"
Dean and Seamus nodded in agreement.
Lavender replied in a patient tone similar to the one Madam Pomfrey used when speaking to someone who'd suffered an injury to the head that had addled their brains.
"Well yes I imagine they would get suspicious if they come downstairs and we all suddenly have other plans but I was thinking something more subtle than that."
Ron cut in.
"Like what?"
Lavender sighed.
"I was thinking more along the lines of each of us running into someone we must talk to, or seeing something in a shop that catches our eye, running some sort of errand that we just remembered or anything else that we can come up with that will give them some privacy but not seem like we're trying to get them off alone together."
Ginny smiled at Lavender and said.
"Good idea…"
She was about to say something else but paused as she caught sight of Hermione and Harry coming down the stairs towards them. She whispered to the group.
"Here they come."
Lavender lowered her voice and whispered in a rush.
"Alright we all stay together for an hour or so then we start to slip away one maybe two at a time but not all at once we don't want to be obvious or get them wondering what's going on."
Everyone mumbled their assent and turned to greet the last of their little party. Lavender smiled as they all set off for Hogsmeade.
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Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Dean, Lavender, Neville, Pavrati and Seamus had all come into Hogsmeade together. It was the first Hogsmeade trip of the year and everyone was happy to be free from thoughts of NEWTS and anything school related. The group's first stop had been Honeyduke's, where they tested out the latest sweets the shop had to offer as well as some of their tried and true favorites from the samples bin before loading up on a supply of their favorite treats to last them until their next visit. As they exited the shop Harry noticed Hermione chewing on a cinnamon flavored licorice wand and lost his train of thought as he watched the undulations of her mouth as she sucked the candy into her mouth and ran her tongue across her sticky lips. Harry couldn't help thinking to himself that it must be nice being a licorice wand. When Harry realized what he was thinking he quickly averted his eyes but not before Ginny and Pavrati caught the look of out and out yearning mirrored in them. Shortly after leaving Honeyduke's Pavrati caught sight of her twin sister Padma and ambled off to say hello.
The rest of the group headed over to Schrivenschift's after Hermione mentioned needing to buy some parchment. Their advanced classes were taking a bit of a toll on their regular school supplies so they all trooped in and restocked themselves with parchment, ink and quills. They all had a good laugh when the clerk at the counter attempted to interest Hermione in a mood-deciphering quill that supposedly changed ink color according to how the writer felt. Seamus had guffawed and said it was more the silly type of thing that Lavender or Pavrati would buy. That cheek earned him an evil glare from Lavender. Hermione of course declined she was eyeing the handsome set of black and silver phoenix feather quills that had just come in. Phoenix feathers were not only useful for wand cores they also made excellent quills add to that the extreme rarity of finding a black and silver phoenix let alone coaxing it to donate its prized plumage for a quill explained the exorbitant amount of galleons being asked for the set. In the end Hermione had settled on a more practical set of quills before the group walked out of the shop. As they made their way up the high street Seamus remembered that he needed to send an owl home and set off for the post office. Dean accompanied him as he thought it would be a nice treat to send an owl to his younger siblings; none of whom possessed any magical ability but loved anything to do with the wondrous world their older brother inhabited.
The group of nine had now dwindled to six. Ron, Ginny, Lavender, Neville, Hermione and Harry did a bit of window shopping before heading to the Three Broomsticks for a bit of refreshment. The girls found a booth while the boys went to the bar to get butterbeers for everyone. The six friends chatted and laughed about the various "adventures" they'd had during the week. Ron told a remarkably funny anecdote about Peeves stringing Mrs. Norris up to one of the moving model planets in the observatory of the Astronomy tower and spinning her about the room as Filch ran around after them trying to catch her and pull her to safety. Once they had settled their tab the sextet ambled back onto the streets of Hogsmeade where Ginny caught sight of Luna Lovegood talking with Allison Roper a Hufflepuff six year who happened to be a Herbology buff and who thought Neville was quite cute, a fact that had been unbeknownst to him until that moment when Ginny let the information slip. Ginny hailed the two girls and drug Neville off to introduce him to Allison properly.
The remaining foursome set off in near hysterics over the horrified expression on Neville's face as Ginny led him off to what he was certain would be his doom. They walked the streets in silence for a few minutes after their laughter subsided until they reached Gladrags Wizard Wear. Lavender turned to Ron and said.
"Ron I wonder if you could help me out with something?"
Ron eyed Lavender openly and replied.
"Depends on what it is."
Lavender nodded and responded.
"Well next month is my older brother's birthday and I wanted to get him something really nice. I was thinking of a new set of dress robes or something like that…you're about his size…I was wondering if you would mind trying on a few so that I could get an idea of what size to buy."
Ron knew full well that Lavender was only asking such a thing to give Harry and Hermione some private time but the dumbstruck look on his face was genuine, he had never expected something so clever. Blinking rapidly Ron nodded dumbly and said.
"Ummm…okay…I guess I could do that."
Lavender smiled and said "Thank you" to Ron before she turned to Harry and Hermione and asked.
"Would you two like to join us? I could certainly use some secondary opinions."
Harry shook his head hurriedly in refusal.
"Sorry Lavender but we need to stop by the apothecary and pick up a few things we're running low on."
Hermione nodded in agreement with Harry's declaration. Lavender replied.
"Oh alright then…I suppose we'll catch up to you two later."
The four friends said their goodbyes and Harry and Hermione set off up the street towards the apothecary as Lavender and Ron went into Gladrags. Ron looked down at Lavender and asked.
"What made you pick shopping as our way out?"
Lavender looked up at him and grinned as she replied.
"Well I've yet to meet the bloke who actually enjoys shopping so I took a chance that in that respect Harry would be like every other boy I know. As for Hermione, I shared a room with the girl for six years…I can't tell you the number of times I've watched her get all glassy eyed when Pavrati and I have discussed shopping so I figured she'd want to shove off as much as Harry would."
Ron grinned broadly at Lavender bowed dramatically and said.
"Oh the cleverness of you Ms. Brown the cleverness of you!"
They both burst into ringing peals of laughter as Ron swung the door to the robe shop open and the two of them gleefully waltzed inside.
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Harry and Hermione stepped outside of Swenson's Bakery munching on buns. Harry carried a large white bakery bag loaded with buns, donuts, cauldron cakes, jaffa cakes and Swenson's special mince pies. The jaffa cakes and mince pies were for Ron who had a deep fondness for the homemade orange jam and chocolate Mrs. Swenson used in her jaffa cakes and the fact that the old witch made her mince pies year round and not just during Christmas had made Ron one of her most loyal customers as he said that next to chocolate a good mince pie was the greatest delicacy known to mankind, wizard and muggle alike. Harry and Hermione walked along eating their buns in silence until they found a bench to settle themselves on.
By the time they finished the buns and donuts they'd treated themselves to they found that they were sitting in front of the Shrieking Shack. Hermione looked over at Harry uncertainly as he gazed up at the old dilapidated structure. A purposely-vacant expression was covering his strikingly handsome face. She knew without question that he was thinking about Remus. It hadn't yet been a year since their former Dark Arts professor had died at the hands of Voldemort's Death Eaters. Remus had used himself as a diversion to allow Harry the chance to get back to safety after they had been set upon by a group of Death Eaters sent by Voldemort to capture Harry. He had been hit by the killing curse in the ensuing struggle that had taken place before the other members of the Order and the Ministry's Aurors had arrived to contain the situation. Hermione knew that as Harry's mind drifted from thoughts of Remus it would venture to thoughts of Sirius and his parents. She reached out a hand and laced her fingers through his and squeezed his hand reassuringly. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and returned the gesture. When he opened his eyes they were wet with his unshed tears, a cheerless smile turned his mouth as he said.
"They're all gone…all the family I had in this world is gone now. That's what Sirius and Remus were you know, my family. Remus was all I had left…and now I'm alone."
He paused and steeled himself against the tidal wave of emotion that washed over him. He looked as though he wanted to say more but couldn't. Hermione tightened her hold on his hand and using her free hand turned his gaze to hers and said.
"That is complete and utter rubbish…and if Molly and Arthur Weasley heard you repeat that I dare say you'd get the walloping of your life…"
She stopped and released his hand and raised that hand to his face as well, framing his face and forcing him to look into her eyes.
"Molly and Arthur couldn't love you any more than if you were their own flesh and blood…Bill and Charlie think the world of you…and Percy though he'd be loathed to admit it respects you a great deal. You know that Fred and George are crazy about you…and Ginny absolutely adores you, she always has. And Ron despite his envious moments and his inability to articulate his emotions would be lost without you. So there you have nine people who love you like family and would do anything for you. Then there's Hagrid and Dumbledore…they love you…they would and have done the unthinkable just to keep you safe…what's that if it's not what family does…"
Hermione paused again and Harry noticed how bright her eyes had become and when she spoke there was a ferocity in her voice that hadn't been there before.
"And you have me. If you believe nothing else I've said Harry believe that I love you and know that I'm not going anywhere…so you're not nor will you ever be alone!"
Harry raised his hands and cupped Hermione's face; his voice was hoarse with emotion when he uttered the word.
"Promise."
Hermione smiled as she replied.
"I promise."
Hermione leaned close and gently brushed her lips against Harry's before she stood to her feet and said.
"It's getting late we better head back."
Harry rose to his feet and lacing his fingers through Hermione's set off down the street towards the castle. Ron and Lavender exchanged excited smiles as they watched the duo stroll off down the street hand in hand.
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It was well past midnight and Ron and Lavender had called the team together to discuss the progress of the plan. The seven conspirators sat huddled together in the farthest corner of the common room. Ron spoke.
"I think we made some progress today with this new batch of the potion and the idea to get Harry and Hermione alone…"
Seamus cut in.
"Did something happen?"
Ron and Lavender exchanged glances then nodded a "yes" to the group. Pavrati let out a squeal of delight and asked.
"What happened?"
Lavender sighed contentedly and replied.
"Well after you lot disappeared I made an excuse about my buying a birthday present for my brother and needing Ron's help so that Ron and I could skive off. Harry and Hermione went off on their own, we watched but at a safe enough distance away so that they wouldn't see us. Well anyway they walked around a bit and after stopping off at Swenson's they ended up in front of the Shrieking Shack. They got into an intense conversation…we don't know what about we were to far away to hear…but it looked serious. Ron reckons it was about our old Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. They were doing a lot of holding hands and caressing faces and staring into each other's eyes…then Hermione leans in and kisses Harry…"
Dean interposed in an excited whisper.
"Was the snogging intense…I mean were they groping each other?"
Pavrati wrinkled her nose in distaste and frowned in Dean's direction.
"You disgusting pervert!"
Dean raised an eyebrow and replied.
"Like the rest of you weren't wondering the same bloody thing!"
Ginny giggled as Seamus muttered.
"You're right there mate I was wondering that very same thing."
Lavender raised her voice to continue and called an end to the back and forth chatter.
"It wasn't exactly a snog."
This time it was Ginny who butted in.
"Well then what was it?"
Lavender answered in a patient tone.
"It was more along the lines of a peck."
Ginny frowned and said.
"And how is that progress? Hermione gives Harry little pecks all the time."
Seamus added.
"Bloody hell I've seen her give Ron a peck on the cheek a time or two myself."
Again Lavender raised her voice to be heard.
"Yes Hermione does give Harry and Ron little pecks on the cheek…but this peck was on the lips…and if you'd seen them in the moment like we had you'd know it was something more than just a friendly peck. Wouldn't they Ron?"
Ron chimed in.
"Yeah. I mean they were touching each other an awful lot and the looks on their faces were like they were the only two people in the whole blooming world!"
Ron's pronouncement was greeted with a bunch of mumbling. While the team debated among themselves Lavender spoke again.
"This incident proves that we're on the right track. We just need to keep giving them the potion every morning and pushing them together as much as possible."
Five sets of eyes turned to Ron and waited for his assessment. Ron looked at Lavender and nodded.
"I agree. I feel good about the progress we're making and I say we go full steam ahead."
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Their lips met in an intensely passionate kiss. Her hands caressed his bare chest as he dipped his head and rained a trail of kisses down the smooth column of her throat and across her bare shoulders. She gasped as he turned his attentions to her bared breasts lavishing her erect nipples with his tongue. Her moaning grew louder and she knotted her hands into fists in Harry's hair as he journeyed slowly up and down her body kissing and licking and nibbling and caressing everywhere his lips, tongue, teeth and hands could reach. Harry kissed his way back up her beautiful body reveling in the feel of her smooth warm skin. He brought his mouth down to hers and traced the seam of her lips with his tongue seeking entrance. She granted his request and entwined her tongue with his while her slender hands roamed and caressed his back and shoulders. As the kiss deepened her legs wrapped around his waist of their own accord and drew him closer to her as she whispered breathlessly to him "Make love to me Harry". Harry groaned in pure pleasure as he honored her request and slipped inside her warm wet welcoming folds. She clung tightly to him kissing his neck and chest, wrapping her legs tighter around him pulling him closer to her body. She whimpered and moaned begging and pleading with him to love her harder and deeper. He thrust into her over and over again loving the feel of her wrapped tightly around his member. Suddenly her cries increased in volume and intensity, her back arched off the bed and his name became her mantra as she chanted it over and over again…Harry…Harry…Harry. He screamed out her name…Hermione…as they both exploded in unison and allowed ecstasy to overtake them.
Harry opened his eyes, sat bolt upright in bed and groaned loudly as he threw back the covers and stomped into the bathroom that adjoined his bedroom. He turned the cold water on full blast and stepped inside the shower letting the cold-water pulse over him. He'd had that sodding dream again! The one where he was with Hermione. Her exquisite body naked and writhing beneath him. A moan escaped his lips as he imagined her soft lips on his bare skin. Harry banged his fist on the shower wall then sighed as he struggled to concentrate on something other than Hermione in order to subdue the towering erection his dream had caused. As the frigid water pulsed over his body Harry asked himself for what had to be the one billionth time what in the world had gotten into him. For the past few weeks his thoughts had been focused on Hermione. It seemed that she had taken over his senses. Everything about her drove him to distraction; the sound of her voice, her smile, the way she smelled…everything. Anytime Hermione touched him, looked at him, spoke to him or walked past him he was thrown into complete and utter confusion. And then as if that weren't enough the dreams had started and Harry found that try as he might he couldn't stop himself from thinking about her in his waking or sleeping moments. He was at a loss for what to do other than to greet each day with a freezing cold shower. Shaking his head Harry reached down and gripped his erection in his palm and allowed the Hermione from his dreams to appear in his minds eye. After several furious minutes he let loose a guttural moan and slumped back against the shower wall. Once his breathing returned to normal he reached for his soap and begin to shower in earnest. Harry was certain that he was losing his mind. He never suspected that across the hall Hermione was suffering from a similar difficulty.
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Hermione sucked in a breath of air as she felt Harry's hands begin to glide across her body while his lips dropped kisses across her neck and shoulders. Hermione drew his mouth back to hers and their lips met in a fiercely passionate kiss their tongues entwined in the sweetest and most intimate of dances as her hands caressed Harry's bare chest. The kiss deepened and Harry disposed of the few articles of clothing separating them. Hermione wrapped her legs around his waist and drew him closer to her body. Harry groaned as his hardened penis brushed against her wet and throbbing center. Hermione instinctively knew that he wanted her so badly he was near to going mad with desire. She understood his need because she felt it herself. Hermione lifted her hips welcoming the feel of his hardness as he slipped inside her and she and Harry became one. His hands found hers and they intertwined as he moved above her. The rhythmic undulations of their bodies caused Hermione to tighten her hold on Harry as she gave herself over to the passion coursing through her body, urging him deeper inside her. As their ecstasy neared its peak Hermione's breathing came in quick shuddering gasps, the room began to spin and a million pinpoints of light seemed to explode in her head. Her body writhed in the most deliciously excruciating pain as she felt Harry tense above her; the room filled with moans both masculine and feminine reverberating about the four walls. Hermione's back arched off the bed as she cried out in ecstasy, quivering Harry joined her in release. Harry lovingly gathered Hermione's trembling body in his arms and kissed her fervently.
Hermione awoke with a start. The covers of her four-poster were tangled about her waist and legs, her pajamas and hair were plastered to her damp skin, her breathing was labored and her heart hammered against her chest violently. She lay still for a few minutes as she attempted to collect herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. After repeating the process twice more she raised herself up and untangled herself from the snarl that was her sheet and duvet. Hermione trudged glumly to the shower and stepping out of her night's attire hopped into the rather chilly spray of water. For the past five days Hermione had been having the most lurid fantasies about Harry. It seemed that she was tuned into all Harry all the time. She had always been acutely aware of his moods and thoughts that was nothing new. But she was now so in tune with him that she was constantly aware of everything about him; his voice, his eyes, his laugh, his smile, the scent of his soap, the rough yet gentle feel of his touch and all of it was driving her absolutely mad. She couldn't concentrate when he was anywhere near her and when he wasn't she still couldn't think straight for imagining his hands and lips all over her body. She had to get a grip on herself and she had to do it soon.
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Hermione stepped out of her bedroom and headed down the hallway in the direction of the small common room she and Harry shared. She was so absorbed in her last minute reviewing of her Transfiguration notes that she didn't see Crookshanks or the engorged rubber cork he was rolling madly about the floor. Hermione trod on the cork and lost her footing. She let out a loud yelp as her feet flew out from under her. She shut her eyes and braced herself mentally for the jarring impact of her body slamming into the hard floor but the collision never came. Instead of hitting the floor Hermione found herself being pulled into Harry's arms. As Harry pulled her into a standing position Crookshanks streaked between his feet after the cork. Harry did a sort of wild dance to avoid stepping on the cat and in the process lost his balance. He staggered and wobbled from side to side, Hermione still clasped in his arms. To prevent them both from crashing to the floor Harry spun around and leaned towards the wall. Hermione felt a slight jolt as her back connected with the wall behind her, however it was Harry's body pressing her more snugly into the wall that made her gasp. Harry reached down and pushed Hermione's hair from her eyes and asked in a low whisper.
"You alright?"
Hermione replied weakly.
"I'm fine."
Harry asked.
"I didn't hurt you did I?"
Hermione shook her head and whispered.
"No."
The hand that Harry had used to shove the hair from Hermione's eyes was resting on her cheek; the other hand was at her waist, fisted in her robes. Hermione's hands were splayed across Harry's rock hard chest, which was rising and falling rapidly. Hermione was likewise breathing erratically. They stared into each other's eyes neither moving so much as an inch though there was no reason for them to remain so close together. Harry leaned a fraction of an inch closer and inhaled the scent of her hair. Of their own volition Hermione's hands snaked up Harry's chest and wound around his neck. Harry shifted slightly and Hermione felt his arm tightening about her waist and drawing her body closer to his as the hand that had been resting on her cheek slipped into her hair at the nape of her neck and angled her head back slightly. Harry knew that he needed to step away from her before he did something he couldn't take back but the desire to feel her lips against his own was stronger than his desire to maintain their friendship or anything else at that moment. Hermione ran her tongue across her bottom lip and that simple gesture was Harry's undoing…his only coherent thought was that he wanted…no needed to taste her. Harry lowered his head and for a moment Hermione wondered whether she should stop Harry from kissing her but as soon as the thought entered her mind it was gone…she wanted this and by Merlin she was going to have it. He was so close to her now that she could feel his warm breath on her lips. Harry could smell the mint of her toothpaste mingled with the cinnamon dental floss she was fond of using. He breathed out her name at the exact moment she whispered his then suddenly the portrait hole sprang open and the sound of Ron's booming voice replaced that of their ragged breathing.
"Oy you two…get a move on…otherwise we'll be late for McGonagall's quiz!"
Harry and Hermione launched away from each other as if they had been burned. Both their faces were flushed and their breathing was labored. Ron surveyed the scene before him and asked.
"Everything all right?"
Harry nodded awkwardly and said.
"Everything's fine…Crookshanks just nearly knocked us both on our arses."
Ron raised an eyebrow slightly and inclined his head in reply. Hermione grabbed her wand and pointed it at her scattered notes that littered the floor and fired off two rapid spells "Papyrus Collectus Sortus" followed by "Accio Notes". The stack of papers covering the floor reassembled themselves in a neat stack and flew into Hermione's outstretched hand. Hermione shoved them into her schoolbag and strode out the door. Ron noticed how she deftly avoided looking at either he or Harry. Harry hoisted his bag onto his shoulder and ambled off in Hermione's wake also avoiding making eye contact with his best friend. It was clear to Ron that he had interrupted something. A huge smile covered his face and Ron chuckled softly to himself and as he set off after his friends he thought, "Today is going to be an interesting day". As he sauntered out the door the portrait hole swung shut behind him.
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