Chapter 7: Pretending
Something was amiss with Harry and Hermione and Lavender wanted to know what it was. Their little plan to get the two reluctant lovers together had been moving along quite nicely over the past two weeks despite its slow beginning. Hermione had taken to wearing her curly mane of golden brown curls loose and free flowing and Harry had stopped hiding his gorgeous green eyes behind those dreadful black-framed glasses he usually wore and taken to using his contacts on a regular basis. On more than one occasion the pair had been seen openly staring longingly at each other and had even gone so far as to kiss on the lips instead of the forehead or cheek. And then disaster had struck! Ron had accidentally interrupted a moment between the two several days before that he was certain would have been a full-blown snog had it not of been for his untimely arrival.
Following that incident the two had avoided each other as if the other had a touch of the 1852 Medieval Andorran Negratic Plague; they had dodged and evaded each other like Quidditch players getting out of the way of a bludger. That had lasted for two days then things had gone back to the way they were before…and that was the troubling part. Harry and Hermione had resumed their pattern of behavior from before the devising of the plan to get them together and the administering of the Scintillatus Solution.
Hermione had gone back to spending every spare waking moment with Harry doing homework and patrols, helping and defending him when necessary and tutting at every witch who looked at him with the least amount of interest or had the gall to actually speak to him. Harry had also reverted back to form; holding her hand and interlacing their fingers when they walked through the hallways at night on patrols, whispering in her ear when he needed to have a word with her, giving her spur-of-the-moment massages when they studied and threatening every boy who so much as sighed in her direction. Even though the group had stuck to their plan and mixed up the third more potent batch of the potion and were liberally doling it out to the pair nothing was happening. In fact they seemed to be regressing instead of progressing; a detail that had Lavender thoroughly confounded. A frustrated sigh erupted from Lavender's throat as she buried her face in the crook of her arm and banged her fist on the table rattling her goblet of juice.
"Lavender is everything alright?"
Lavender jerked upright in her seat and found she was staring into the eyes of one of the reasons for her confusion and frustration. Hermione lowered herself into a seat at the Gryffindor table across from the one Lavender had taken. A concerned expression covered her face. Lavender's brain ticked frantically for a reason for her outburst but none came readily to mind. Then inspiration struck, and she remembered the last time she had been at a crossroads over what to do about Hermione and Harry…hadn't Hermione shown up then and provided her with the answers she needed. Was it possible that Hermione could help sort her out now as well? Lavender held back a smile as her mind clicked furiously as she developed the perfect ruse to get the information she needed.
"Lavender?"
Hermione called her former roommate's name a second time as she helped herself to some porridge. Lavender gave a half-hearted forlorn smile and replied as Hermione ladled treacle over her porridge.
"Hi Hermione."
Hermione cocked her head to the side to observe her friend and asked again.
"Is everything alright?"
Lavender nodded weakly.
Hermione was not convinced.
"Are you sure…you seem a bit down."
Lavender answered back.
"I'm alright just a lot on my mind at the moment."
Hermione laid down her spoon and replied
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Lavender shook her head.
"I don't want to be a bother."
Hermione pursed her lips together in a fashion reminiscent of Professor McGonagall and answered back.
"Don't be silly, needing help does not a bother make. We're friends and friends help one another. Now then what's wrong?"
Lavender gave Hermione a grateful smile and said.
"Well…its kind of hard to explain."
Hermione offered a suggestion.
"Can you give me an example?"
Lavender nodded.
"Take you and Harry for example…you two've known each other for seven years now and you're really good friends right…"
Lavender paused as Hermione inclined her head in agreement then continued.
"What if you went to bed one night mates with Harry like always then got up the next morning came down to breakfast took a sip of your morning juice and suddenly saw your good ole pal Harry in a whole new light?"
Hermione blinked as she stared at Lavender in absolute wonder before clearing her throat and asking.
"Lavender is this your way of trying to tell me that you fancy Harry and want my help."
Lavender shook her head vehemently.
"No I…no…me and Harry…no…no…no…no…no…I…I just fancied an opinion on this subject from a girl whose two best mates are blokes. I thought you may have some insight the rest of us are lacking. I would never dream of asking you to help me pursue Harry…not that I ever would pursue Harry!"
Hermione smiled; her relief evident. Lavender took notice of Hermione's momentary flare of jealously but said nothing. Hermione reached across the table and patted Lavender's hand reassuringly.
"I didn't mean to make it sound like something was wrong with you fancying Harry…its perfectly fine if you do or if you don't. I'm just sick of being the go between for Harry and his endless myriad of fan girls!"
Lavender nodded again. Hermione went on.
"So then you have a friend who has become a little more than just a friend eh?"
Lavender thanked the gods that she was able to blush on command. Had she not possessed that particular ability she doubted that she would have looked half as convincing as she did when she lowered her lashes and muttered a bashful.
"Yes."
Hermione smiled then resumed her inquiry.
"And you want to know how to go about telling him how you feel?"
Lavender nodded.
Hermione chewed her lip thoughtfully then asked.
"You mentioned Harry is your bloke's behavior similar?"
Lavender said the first thing that came out of her mouth.
"Somewhat…he's shy about matters to do with the opposite sex like Harry is…but he's a bit more goofy and fun loving than Harry."
Goofy, fun loving, and completely clueless about girls, Hermione chuckled as she looked at Lavender and said.
"Lav I think the best way to handle this would be to tell Ron straight out that you fancy him."
Lavender's eyes bugged out of her head as she processed what Hermione had just said. Hermione thought she fancied Ron. Not to say that there was anything wrong with Ron he was a quite attractive bloke with his impressively broad shoulders and barrel chest, his handsomely chiseled features and his well-muscled body. All of that along with his quick wit, bawdy sense of humor and his lively, sparkling blue eyes had made Ron a much sought after companion by a large preponderance of the female inhabitants of Hogwarts. And though Lavender appreciated the fine specimen of a wizard that he was and whole-heartedly agreed that he was one of the most shaggable blokes in the school she had never seriously entertained any thoughts of herself with him as a couple. Still if this was how she got what she needed so be it. Taking a deep breath she whispered.
"How did you know?"
Hermione smiled.
"Well the first clue was that you asked my advice about boys…no one ever asks me about boys if it's not to do with Harry and/or Ron. Second there was your description…goofy, fun loving, and completely clueless about girls…who else do we know that fits that sort perfectly other than Ron. But the biggest hint was the way you two have been acting lately…all the studying you've been doing together, the intense conversations in the corner of the common room with your heads pressed together made it fairly obvious that something was going on with you two. Although that little stunt you pulled in Hogsmeade a few weeks back was a bit of a giveaway…"
Lavender cut in a confused look etched on her countenance and asked.
"What stunt?"
Hermione pinned her with a wily stare and replied.
"Asking Ron to try on dress robes for your brother's birthday gift…"
Hermione paused as Lavender nodded in agreement and gave her a look as if to say what is wrong with that, then went on.
"Lav I was your roommate for six years I know your brother is as muggle as your parents are, he has no use for robes other than the bath variety!"
Lavender emitted an embarrassed giggle as she responded.
"Should have known you'd have caught that one."
Hermione shrugged.
"Well I'm a bit more observant than most people…and Ron has to be hit over the head with a stone tablet that has what you wanted him to know carved into it…otherwise he'll never catch on."
Lavender stared at Hermione and said.
"So you think I should just tell him?"
Hermione nodded.
"It's the only way with Ron."
"But isn't he going out with that sixth year Hufflepuff, Heidi Pittman?"
"Snogging in a broom closet doesn't count as dating."
"Oh."
Hermione heard the distress in the single syllable that Lavender had uttered and attempted to clear up the impression she'd just given Lavender of her best friend.
"Not to say that Ron is some type of unabashed cad…his status as such a fine keeper and his role as Harry's best mate and sidekick in all his adventures draws girls to him in droves and sometimes he gets caught up with the wrong sort. Personally I think he'd do well to find himself a more permanent relationship."
Lavender sighed and nodded then asked.
"If it were you Hermione what would you do…like I asked you earlier…what if you woke up one morning and suddenly saw Harry as the wizard of your dreams? What if he occupied all your thoughts…even your dreams? What if every time you looked at him you got lost in his eyes and could think of nothing besides snogging him senseless…what would you do?"
Hermione swallowed perceptibly and averted her eyes. Lavender had done an amazing job of describing exactly how she'd been feeling about Harry the past few weeks, if Hermione hadn't known any better she'd have sworn that Lavender knew what was going on. Shaking her head Hermione took a steadying breath and shakily replied.
"Well Lav…I…I think it would be a little different if it were Harry and I considering that we are such close friends…but that is neither here nor there as that is something I'll never have to worry about…Harry doesn't see me that way at all. I'm sure he'd be mortified to no end if he ever had so much as lain an inappropriate hand to me."
Hermione dropped her gaze down and retrieving her spoon began aimlessly stirring her porridge. Lavender noticed that Hermione had said "Harry doesn't see me that way at all" and "he'd be mortified to no end if he ever had so much as lain an inappropriate hand to me". Something had happened between them but what? And what had Harry done that led Hermione to believe he wasn't interested in her? Lavender needed to speak to Ron as soon as possible. She needed him to find out what had gone on with his two best friends. Lavender and Hermione were both roused from their private reveries by the sound of Harry's voice.
"Morning Hermione, morning Lavender."
Harry plunked down in the seat next to Hermione and began filling his plate with thick slices of grilled liver sausage, bacon, black pudding, eggs, tomatoes and sausages, fried potatoes and toast as Hermione and Lavender greeted him with rather dry hellos. Harry looked up at the pair of them and asked.
"Have I interrupted something?"
Hermione shook her head slowly from side to side in answer to his query. Harry nodded and turning his attention back to his breakfast he doused his potatoes with ketchup and dove into his food with gusto. Lavender spotted Hermione discreetly watching Harry out of the corner of her eye when she thought he wasn't looking. She also noticed Harry eyeing Hermione when her focus returned to her bowl of porridge. Lavender couldn't fathom what the pair of them thought they were hiding. Deciding to take a chance Lavender spoke.
"Hermione you never finished answering my question…if you were to wake up suddenly and find yourself in my shoes what would you do?"
Hermione raised her head slowly and taking a deep breath whispered.
"I have no idea."
Lavender nodded and took a sip from her goblet of juice. Harry meanwhile had lain down his cutlery and was staring between the two girls he was about to ask what was going on when Hermione reached out and touched his cheek.
"Harry you have ketchup on your face."
Lavender looked on in shock as Hermione took her middle finger and wiped the dollop of ketchup from the corner of Harry's mouth; as her ketchup covered finger drifted from its extreme propinquity to his face Harry leaned forward and slowly sucked Hermione's finger into his mouth. Hermione looked as if she was about to pass out when Harry opened his mouth and said.
"Ummm salty and sweet…someone put treacle on their porridge."
Hermione nodded and returned to her now cold porridge her hands quivering ever so slightly. Lavender was none to steady herself! That little act of Harry's had her near the point of swooning as it was positively oozing unresolved sexual tension! Dear Merlin if it had that sort of effect on her and she was just an idle bystander with no amorous feelings toward Harry imagine what it must be doing to poor Hermione. Lavender stood to her feet and saying two quick goodbyes bolted out of the Great Hall. Harry looked at Hermione and asked.
"What was that all about?"
Hermione followed his gaze and watched Lavender scurry out the door, turning back she replied with a shrug of her shoulders.
"I have no idea."
Harry posed another question.
"What was Lav talking about when she asked you what you would do if you woke up one morning and found yourself in her shoes?"
Hermione sipped her tea daintily and said.
"Oh she was just asking my opinion on what to do about this bloke she's interested in."
Harry picked up his knife and fork and began cutting his liver sausage as he said.
"I guess Ron hasn't made a move then."
Hermione set her cup down and asked.
"Why would Ron make a move on Lavender?"
Harry held up his left hand as a signal for Hermione to wait until he'd swallowed then said.
"Ron and I were talking one night a few weeks back and the subject of girls came up…Ron made a comment about Lavender that got me thinking maybe he fancied her."
Hermione smiled.
"Well if he does fancy Lavender that will certainly make things easier for her considering he's the bloke she has her eye on!"
Harry turned to Hermione and they both burst into amused laughter.
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"YOU DID WHAT!!!!"
Lavender flinched and an unsuspecting first year yelped and ran back up the stairs as Ron's voice boomed about the Gryffindor common room.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TOLD HERMIONE THAT YOU FANCIED ME…"
Lavender interjected.
"I didn't say I fancied you…Hermione assumed it was you and I elected not to correct her as it got her a bit chatty about herself and Harry…and would you please stop screaming or do you want the whole school to know what we're up to!"
Ron flumped down on the couch and hissed.
"I don't believe this."
Lavender sat down beside him and patted his leg reassuringly.
"I know this wasn't part of the original plan but this little bit of subterfuge got Hermione to open up a little and I'm certain that Harry and Hermione finally got around to finishing that kiss you interrupted."
"Did Hermione tell you that?"
"Not in so many words but something happened and whatever it was it gave Hermione the impression that Harry isn't interested in her that way."
Ron looked at Lavender incredulously.
"What could've given her that idea?"
Lavender shrugged.
"I don't know but whatever happened there's still enough heat between those two to melt the polar ice caps!"
Ron raised an eyebrow and asked.
"What'd you mean?"
Lavender relayed how Hermione had used her finger instead of one of the thousands of napkins lying on the table to wipe the spot of ketchup off the corner of Harry's mouth and how Harry had then sucked her finger into his mouth. After hearing Harry's salty and sweet comment Ron slumped back against the couch slack-jawed. Seeing his stunned state Lavender went on.
"That's why I think this pretending to be a couple could work to our advantage…it would give us more inside information about what's happening with those two…"
This time Ron cut in.
"How?"
Lavender sighed and replied.
"People are always more forthcoming when they are sharing their wisdom and expertise…we'll make Harry and Hermione our relationship coaches and use that to push them closer together so they admit how they really feel."
Ron sighed.
"You really think this will work?"
Lavender replied by asking a question.
"Have I led you wrong so far?"
Ron nodded and sighed again as he said.
"Alright what do we have to do?"
Lavender smiled brightly took Ron's hand and asked.
"Ronald Weasley would you like to be my boyfriend?"
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Hermione trooped into the Gryffindor common room and quickly made her way up the stairs that led to the dormitory stairs and headed straight for the portrait of the majestic Gryffindor lion. She was about to say the password when she heard a voice behind her screeching her name. Hermione knew without looking that the squealing voice belonged to her former roommate Lavender Brown. Sighing Hermione turned around and watched as Lavender pelted down the hallway towards her. As she came to a stop in front of Hermione, Lavender immediately launched into a very one-sided conversation.
"Oh Hermione…I'm so glad you're here…actually I've been listening for you to get in…I've decided you were right…I should tell Ron I fancy him!"
Lavender paused. It took a few seconds for Hermione to realize she was waiting for her to respond.
"That's great Lav good luck…not that you'll need it. I'm sure Ron will be more than happy to go out with you…the pair of you can tell me all about it later."
Lavender smiled.
"Oh that's so sweet of you to say…but you won't have to hear about it second hand as you'll be there!"
Hermione stared at Lavender slightly mystified.
"And exactly how is it that I am to be present for this event?"
Lavender grinned sheepishly.
"Well right now Ron is down at Quidditch practice and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to tell him…but I don't want to go down there and look like one of his fan girls which I definitely would as I haven't got any other reason to go down there other than to look at sweaty Quidditch players! And then I thought of you…since you are the best friend of the captain, co-captain and the star chaser of the team no one would find it strange you being down on the pitch! And if I happened to be with you then no one would say I was one of those awful wannabe Quidditch bints!"
"Lav I don't believe anyone would dare categorize you as a wannabe Quidditch bint for showing up at one team practice."
"They may not say it out loud but they would definitely think it."
"Honestly Lavender I really just wanted to put my things away and grab a bite to eat before I get started on my Arithmancy and Ancient Runes homework."
"Hermione please!! It'll only take a few minutes…I'm sure practice is almost over and dinner will be going on for another hour…you'll have plenty of time to eat before you get started on your work!"
Hermione heaved a sigh and fifteen minutes later found herself strolling onto the Quidditch pitch with Lavender. Predictably a section of the lowest rows of seats were filled with twittering girls from various houses gushing about the males flying overhead; although Hermione suspected that most of the attention was directed towards Harry who was putting himself through his paces by dogging the snitch around the stadium but purposely not catching it in order to give himself time to work on his moves. Ron was vigorously defending the goal posts against an assault by the Gryffindor chasers Ginny, Janice Arnold, and Leslie Mangrove. In addition to attempting to get the quaffle past Ron the three chasers were also trying to deftly avoid the bludgers being furiously whacked at them by beaters Christopher Askew and Jason Cartwright. Being that her three closest friends and her former boyfriend were all avid Quidditch buffs and players Hermione had picked up a lot of understanding of the sport since her entry into the wizarding world and she had to admit that the Gryffindor squad looked superb. Not since the days of Oliver Wood had she seen a team this good. She made a mental note to tell Harry that he should be very proud of the team he'd put together.
Suddenly Hermione was jolted out of her thoughts by the sound of Lavender gasping noisily. Hermione focused her attention in the direction Lavender was pointing just in time to see a blur on a broomstick barreling towards her. Before she had the time to react Hermione found herself sideways astride Harry's broomstick zooming through the evening air while Harry looped the pitch fist raised triumphantly in the air grinning like an idiot. Christopher and Jason whooped loudly while Ginny lead Janice and Leslie in a round of applause, Ron was alternately yelling, "Way to go Harry" at the top of his voice and giving off very loud catcalls and whistles and Lavender could be heard below squealing with delight as she too applauded and congratulated Harry on his wonderful flying. Though they applauded as well the section of wannabe Quidditch bints looked decidedly dejected especially Serena Chambers who was standing with her arms folded across her chest tapping her foot with an angry scowl contorting her otherwise lovely countenance. Hermione suppressed the urge to smile and instead leveled a stern gaze at Harry and asked.
"Why on earth did you do that?"
Harry merely grinned as he replied.
"Well as seeker it's my job to catch the snitch…and as the snitch just so happened to be circling your dainty little waist at the time I considered it was mocking me and daring me to catch it…so I accepted the challenge and caught it."
Hermione maintained her affronted stare and said.
"Well you could've bloody warned me!"
Harry straightened momentarily and replied
"But love that would've scared off the snitch…"
He paused to look directly into her eyes then continued saying
"Besides you have to admit it was an excellent bit of flying. You know, I could add you to the team roster as an alternate and we could try this move out in our next match. Or you could just stand there on the sidelines and when the snitch rings your tiny little waist I'll make my move!"
Hermione shook her head.
"No thanks I'd much rather cheer you and the rest of this lot on from the stands thank you."
Harry grinned impishly.
"Awww…c'mon it'd be great fun…we could use an alternate at the chaser spot…the snitch seems to like you…and I'd love having my best girl on the team."
Hermione flushed slightly at his last words.
"No this was a one time only performance. Now if you please I'd appreciate it if you put me back on terra firma."
Harry smiled and nodded as he simultaneously pointed his broom towards the ground and signaled to his teammates that practice was over. Harry halted his broomstick a couple of feet off the ground and gripping Hermione tightly to his sweat soaked chest agilely jumped to the ground. Harry released his hold on Hermione and there was an awkward pause as they stood looking at each other uncertainly, unsure what to say and what to do with their hands as their hearts thumped wildly in their chests. Hermione broke the silence.
"The lot of you looked really good up there. You should be quite proud of the side you've assembled…you're in for an outstanding season."
Harry beamed.
"You really think so?"
Hermione nodded. Just then the team landed and amassed themselves around Harry and Hermione. Harry looked away from Hermione and gave his complete attention to his squad.
"Excellent practice…all of you looked really good out there…so good in fact that I'm giving you Friday off…"
Harry's teammates looked at him in shocked astonishment; he quickly added.
"Don't get beside yourselves next week we're back on schedule…now get out of here!"
Not needing to be told twice the team raced off to the changing rooms. Christopher Askew and Jason Cartwright paused long enough to whisper excitedly to Hermione.
"Whatever it is you're doing to him keep it up!"
"Yeah…don't let up on him one little bit!"
Hermione flushed as they scurried off. Harry noticed the pink tinge in her cheeks and scowling asked.
"What was that about?"
Sensing his ire rising Hermione waved a hand dismissively and replied.
"Nothing…just complimenting me on my side-saddle riding skills."
Harry replied with a rather snappish "Oh". He then linked his fingers with Hermione's as they too headed towards the changing rooms and asked.
"What brings you down to the pitch anyway?"
Hermione chewed her lip as she thought of a suitable explaination.
"Oh Lavender and I fancied a walk before dinner and when we saw that you lot were still practicing we thought we'd stop and have a look."
Harry nodded. By now they had reached the spot where Lavender was standing talking to Ron and Ginny. Harry and Lavender exchanged hellos. Ginny pointed to the change rooms and said.
"I'm heading in for a quick shower…if I hurry I can catch the last half of dinner."
Harry chimed in.
"Good idea…"
He turned to Lavender and Hermione and said.
"Why don't you two wait on the girls side while we get ready?"
Lavender smiled and said.
"Corking idea Harry…you lot go get cleaned up and Herms and I will sit here until you're done!"
Fifteen minutes later Harry emerged from the boy's side of the changing room freshly scrubbed, hair still damp from its shampooing, Quidditch bag slung over his shoulder. He frowned when he saw Hermione sitting alone.
"Where are Ron, Ginny and Lavender?"
"Gone."
Harry's frown deepened.
"I thought we were all heading to dinner together."
Hermione shrugged.
"Yes well Ginny was in a rush something about meeting some bloke or another after dinner to study…and as Lavender wanted a private word with Ron they headed off as soon as he came out of the showers."
Harry grunted in an annoyed fashion.
"So they all just scattered and left you here to tell me they were leaving?"
Hermione waggled her head from side to side and answered.
"That about sums it up…yes."
Harry looked down at his watch and saw that judging by the time they had roughly five minutes to make it to the castle and it'd take that long to get there provided they walked. And while he had his Firebolt, and flying would reduce their time considerably, they would still be reduced to consuming the scraps their fellow schoolmates had left behind. Suddenly he was struck with an idea. He dropped his bag and mounted his broom; he then turned to Hermione and said.
"I'll be right back."
It was Hermione's turn to frown.
"You'll be right back, where are you going?"
Harry lifted off the ground and replied.
"It's a surprise…just wait here until I get back. Don't move!!"
He flew off into the night before Hermione had a chance to respond. Hermione sat there for ten minutes wondering what was going on before Harry returned grinning from ear to ear. For the second time that evening Hermione found herself careening through the air as she sat side-saddle on Harry's broom. They landed on the banks of the lake where a sumptuous picnic supper of lamb chops with raspberry sauce, roast chicken, runner beans, potatoes and carrots with parsnips, Yorkshire pudding, steak and kidney pie, treacle pudding and pumpkin pie, butterbeer and a large vacuum flask of hot chocolate was spread out on a tartan blanket. Hermione looked at Harry and uttered her question.
"What is all this?"
Harry shrugged.
"Well seeing as how I'm the reason you missed dinner in the first place I figured I at least owed you something better than the scraps and crumbs left by our fellow Gryffindors. So I zipped down to the kitchens and got Dobby to fix your favorites."
Hermione walked over to Harry and said.
"As I recall steak and kidney pie and pumpkin pie are two of your favorites."
Harry grinned sheepishly.
"Well I couldn't let my best girl eat alone could I?"
Hermione turned her head as she felt the heat rising in her cheeks.
"We'd better tuck in before it gets cold."
Harry nodded in agreement as he sat down and fixed himself a plate.
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Harry and Hermione arrived at breakfast to the sight of Ron and Lavender sitting side-by-side giggling and making eyes at one another. As they took up seats across from the new couple they heard Seamus and Dean's confused banter. Dean was looking at Ron and saying.
"But I don't get it! When did you two start to fancy each other, let alone start this dating thing?"
Seamus cut in.
"Yes Ron, when did you start to fancy Lavender? As I recall you always thought she was too much of a big girl's blouse for you!!"
Lavender clutched her chest and gasped as Ron eyed Seamus with a look that clearly stated he was presently of a mind to knock Seamus on his arse for repeating his past thoughts on Lavender to Lavender. Somehow Ron mastered his baser impulse and replied smoothly.
"I really don't see how my thirteen year old opinions have anything to do with the present moment…as I was obviously a dunderheaded lad who didn't know a good thing when he saw one."
Lavender smiled brightly and kissed Ron on the cheek. Harry took one look at the dumb expression on Ron's face and snorted into his pumpkin juice. Ron and Lavender turned to look at Harry as though they wanted to throttle him Hermione promptly interjected and said.
"I take it Ron was agreeable to your proposition then Lavender."
Lavender looked away from Harry to Hermione and answered.
"Very agreeable. I waited for you but you never showed up at dinner. What happened?"
Ron nodded to Harry as he chimed in.
"Yeah mate we thought you were coming up after you changed?"
Harry responded amid a mouthful of toast.
"Well after you lot ran off and left us it was too late to catch dinner so I got Dobby to whip up a little something and we had a bite down by the lake."
Lavender looked up and said.
"You two had a bite down by the lake last nigh!"
Harry and Hermione nodded as they simultaneously sipped their Scintillatus Solution laden juice. Lavender eyed them both sharply as she said.
"Exactly how did you eat by the lake?"
Harry replied cheekily.
"With cutlery and our mouths."
Seamus, Dean, and Ron howled with laughter at Harry's cheek as Lavender drummed her nails on the table in utter annoyance.
"Ha Ha…very funny Potter…right old comic you are…"
Lavender paused and directed her query to Hermione.
"Herms would you please tell me how did it come to pass that you and laughing boy ended up having a moonlight supper by the lake…when I was the one who landed a boyfriend last night…you aren't holding out on me are you?"
Hermione gulped down the rest of her pumpkin juice and dabbed at her mouth with her napkin as she opened her mouth to speak she was cut off by Harry who was apparently in a playful mood and was greatly enjoying taking the piss out of Lavender and Ron.
"Its simple Lav you picked Ron and that's what you get with Ron, leftover table scraps. Hermione on the other hand had the good sense to pick the one of us with some chivalry and courtliness about him and so she gets moonlit dinners by the lake."
Seamus and Dean guffawed with laughter and Harry grinned cheekily as he bit into his oozing bacon and egg bap. When Ron caught on to what Harry was implying he grabbed a roll and tossing it at his friend bellowed.
"HANG ON, THAT'S NOT FUNNY!!!"
Hermione knocked Harry's shoulder as she said.
"Stop giving them a hard time Harry!"
She paused then and directed her words to Lavender.
"No one is keeping anything from you Lavender. We just missed dinner and Harry felt a tad guilty about it so he got Dobby to whip us up a little something that's all. There's nothing going on between us I assure you."
Lavender nodded as the warning bell sounded alerting the students that classes were due to begin in the next ten minutes. The six Gryffindors finished their breakfast and set off for their first classes of the day. Dean and Seamus waved goodbye as they headed off for Divination. Lavender had Divination as well; Ron told Harry and Hermione he'd catch up to them later as he was walking Lavender up to the North Tower. The trio had long since given up the subject of Divination, Hermione in their third year and Harry and Ron in their fifth after failing their Divination O.W.L.S. abysmally, instead of a regular class the three had a morning study period. Harry and Hermione nodded and told Ron they'd meet him in the study rooms off the library where they were going to work on their Care of Magical Creatures essays. The pair had been walking along quietly for about two minutes when Harry suddenly spoke.
"Why are you so adamant about there being nothing between us other than friendship?"
Hermione stopped and looking at Harry queerly asked.
"What in the devil are you talking about?"
Harry responded.
"Back there at breakfast when Lavender implied that we were carrying on you said…there's nothing going on between us I assure you!! Why did you say that?!"
Hermione frowned slightly and responded in a somewhat confused voice.
"Because there isn't anything going on between us."
Harry glared at her incredulously.
"Oh I see, you kiss every bloke you know with that kind of enthusiasm!!"
Hermione flushed crimson as she replied hotly.
"Harry Potter what are you insinuating?!"
Harry rejoined with a terse.
"I'm not insinuating a damn thing!"
Hermione fired back with.
"It sure as hell sounds like you are!"
Harry grunted in frustration. He stopped in front of the nearest empty classroom and pushed the door open. Grabbing Hermione by the arm he hustled her inside. Turning back towards the door Harry placed both a locking and silencing charm on the room. He then directed himself back to Hermione and stalked towards her. Within seconds he'd backed Hermione into the teacher's desk at the front of the classroom and captured her mouth with his own.
Harry crushed his mouth against Hermione's, kissing her with all his pent-up passion and longing, pillaging her mouth with his lips and tongue. He grabbed her head in his hands, his mouth bruising hers in his rush to claim her. It seemed as if he couldn't kiss her hard enough, he wanted her to know just how much he had been wanting to do this during the last few weeks. Hermione moaned as Harry continued to kiss her over and over, murmuring incoherently. She wrapped her arms around him pressing her body wantonly against his returning his kisses heatedly. She felt the hardness of his manhood pressing between her legs as she enthuastically returned his kisses. She wanted him to understand that she wanted him as badly as he wanted her!
Harry deepened the kiss as Hermione's hands roamed across his back and shoulders pulling him closer to her. Breaking apart for air Harry pressed his mouth against Hermione's neck tracing its contours with his tongue while his hands tugged her robes open. Pushing her tie aside he deftly undid the topmost buttons of the thin white blouse Hermione was wearing and slipping his hand into her white lace see-through bra he cupped her firm warm breast in his hands, Harry bowed his head and lavished her nipples with his tongue. Hermione moaned appreciatively at the combination of the attention Harry was paying her and his obvious arousal, which was pressing, incessantly against her where Harry stood between her parted thighs. Harry whispered to her passionately as his right hand wandered down her supple, yielding form and dipped into her knickers and ran his fingers between the dampness of her folds.
"God, Hermione…I want you so badly…I can't stand this pretending anymore…that kiss wasn't just nothing to me…I want to be with you…I need to be with you…you're driving me bloody mad!!"
Hermione bit back an ardent moan as she felt her own arousal assailing her under Harry's wonderful ministrations. Nodding eagerly she reached out for Harry and pulled his body back to hers as she crushed her lips to his, putting every ounce of her soul into the kiss she bestowed upon his lips. Harry enthusiastically returned her kiss as he pushed her skirt up her legs and caressed her smooth thighs. Hermione tore her mouth away from Harry's to catch her breath and placing her hands against his rock hard chest she pushed Harry away from his present task of making her heart pound and her knees weak. Harry stumbled backward and frowned down at Hermione and said through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse with passion.
"Hermione…what's wrong?"
Hermione sweetly as she stepped closer to him and pushing her full luscious lips against Harry's whispered through the soft kiss she placed there.
"Not here."
That said she waved her wand and righted both their tousled clothes. She then twined her fingers with his, opened the door and headed in the direction of Gryffindor Tower.
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