Seventeen, Going Once-Chapter 10
Harry was surprised how liberating yesterday had been. He and Hermione had gone to sleep shortly after getting home. They had no problem with a sweet goodnight kiss and heading in separate directions. Maybe they had finally reached the point where their love seemed second-nature. He had slept through and was putting on his runners to hit the jogging trail to continue his training, even though Professor Lupin wouldn't be back until the wedding. It was already hot for this time of the morning so the windows to the attic were open as well as the door down to the rest of the house.
As he went down the steps he noticed the door to Ginny's room was open. To him it was strange for the girls' room to be wide open with this many men in the house. It just so happened that Hermione was standing behind the door in shorts, tee shirt and runners.
"Can I go for a run with you?" she asked.
"Of course, but I'll warn you the pace might be brutal for someone who hasn't been running," he said casually.
"You won't go slower for me?" she asked with a bit of sadness in her voice.
"Hermione, this is how I'm going to get in shape for our wedding night, oh, ten years from now. I'll need that kind of stamina to keep up with you I think," he said with a smirk.
"Smart aleck," she said. "No seriously, do you have to run at a really quick pace this morning? Run at a slower one for me a couple times a week and I'll eventually get faster."
Harry liked that she was thinking about doing this more often. "Hey, if you are serious about running on a regular basis, I'll pace you and help you improve. You'll be surprised how fast the pace picks up."
She smiled.
They headed out and soon the Burrow was a speck on the horizon. Harry was monitoring her to make sure he didn't push too hard. It was warmer this morning than even he was accustomed to. He got to his turn around point and asked her, "How are feeling?" He was running at about half his normal pace. Most mornings he'd be back at the Burrow going on the second lap by now.
"Not bad, considering I'm going to have to trade my feet and hips in on new ones when we get back," she said with a scowl. "I've seen you, Harry. This is a slow pace and I'm just barely hanging on."
"Are you still interested in doing this on a regular basis?" he quizzed. "You're really doing well, Sweetheart. Keep going, you can do it." He was proud of her. She was going a good bit faster than he had his first day and she seemed to have better control of her breathing than he had.
"I'll try Harry, but the guy who invented this for fun is on my shit list," she tried to smile but breathing was more important than smiling.
When they arrived at the house, she kept moving as Harry explained why. "If you stop right away your muscles can lock up with the acid built up in them and the muscles will ache more. Just shake it out for a few seconds." He ran inside and got her water. "Okay, that was just short of five kilometers in thirty-two minutes, Hermione. I can't think of many people who could run that far the first day at that pace. That would be around 10k in an hour. Not bad." He was glad they were seventeen and not twenty-five, she'd be ready to die by now.
"Yeah, I'll get better too," she said haltingly. "I'm kind of embarrassed though. You could have run backwards the last half-kilometer and lapped me twice." She giggled.
"Well, we went way too fast at the start and I should have realized it before we were half-way," he said. "I apologize for that."
"I'm going to jump in the shower and contemplate letting you run your normal pace while I Apparate to catch you every few hundred meters." She laughed.
They were dressed and back downstairs within an hour. Breakfast was just starting. Hermione winked at Parvati who blushed a bit and turned her attention back to her sister.
"You know that TMAC thing we laughed so hard at last night? It wasn't all that funny when I remembered it this morning. It's kind of dark and really not what we're here for at all," she said.
"I know, I was thinking that last night as I fell asleep. It was funny solely because of the way it came out. In reality, it's kind of sad that there is even a shred of truth to it," said Harry.
"It was funny when Seamus told us to go find our own place to snog though," she chuckled.
Hermione went back to reading an old copy of the Quibbler that she'd gotten from Luna. She'd scoff at some of the assertions from time to time. On occasion she'd raise an eyebrow with interest. Harry loved watching her expressions. He knew it drove her crazy when he stared so he went inside for a while and found a peaceful spot on a soft pillow on the floor, and laid back to think.
He realized that he needed to get his plan together for his birthday before tomorrow. The plans for the Neville/Harry birthday bash would keep him busy all day. He needed to get Hermione flowers, or at the very least figure out how to do it casually. He couldn't remember what day of the week it was, he laughed out loud. It was Wednesday, so Friday was his birthday. He thought about a gift. Nothing real fancy, but a thank you gift for being so considerate. He liked that idea and started scheming to go away that afternoon for just long enough to buy Hermione a gift. Harry was completely and utterly relaxed.
Harry drifted off into that area between consciousness and sleep where daydreams occur. At first, the images were blurred. As he fell deeper into that dreamlike state things became clearer. He could feel himself separate from his body to see everything around him develop, yet he still felt sensation.
He saw Hermione running next to him smiling and felt her hand in his. He couldn't tell from which perspective he would see or feel anything. He looked at his empty hand and still felt hers in it. In an instant he was looking at her in that disembodied state. They were laughing and running headlong across the park they were in the day before. His lungs tore at him from laughing, running and pure excitement. He felt it as sure as if he were attempting to obliterate his own record time on his jogging causing his lungs to burn, but it was milder somehow because of the pure softness and tenderness of her hand in his.
They fell together in the same spot under the shade tree. The blurred faces of the couple on the blanket became theirs in vivid color. He played with the child and looked toward Hermione who smiled and looked back down as she tickled the tiny baby's bare tummy.
The sensation of Hermione's touch changed to his lower lip where her lips met his. They were no longer in the park but resting side by side on a mattress of clouds suspended above that scene. He felt her skin against his along the entire length of his body. His breathing deepened as he the sensations became more intense. The dream shifted scenes. He felt his lips touch her belly and move slowly southward as her hand urged him on. He looked up and saw her eyes closed and her lip folded under her bared teeth he continued his ministrations. It seemed to be only moments before her hips moved slowly in a circle and then violently in his hands rising up to push him away and pull him in at the same time.
He kissed her stomach again moving across her body until felt her lips on his. The sensations now reached a peak that he'd never thought possible as her hands pulled tightly toward her as he felt her warmth surround him as he'd never felt before. He kissed her and their bodies flowed into a dance of sensation that seemed to go faster and faster until Harry felt as if his chest would explode. His pelvis burned and convulsions shook him. He never thought that he would want to let out a primal scream of what could be both pain and joy at the same time as he kissed her deeply. His body felt as if a cool flame enveloped him. Happiness filled every part of his consciousness. He kissed her as she rolled atop him, once again tracing his lips with her finger mouthing, `I love you, Harry.' He saw her hair…
He awoke at the sound of female voices in the room. "He looks so peaceful; don't bother him," said Luna. He played possum lying quietly as if he were still asleep. It was Hermione and Luna. "He does look peaceful, doesn't he?" giggled Hermione. "Down right kissable if you ask me." Both girls laughed and their voices trailed off.
Moments later when the coast was clear he went to his footlocker to change for the second time this morning. His mind still reeled from the intensity of his dream and hope that it wouldn't make him self-conscious with Hermione. He realized the difference between dreams and reality, but he hoped that one day reality would approach beauty of that dream. Never had he wanted his dreams to be fulfilled in exquisite detail like he prayed this one would. He knew that sadly his nightmares may do that very thing. He shook that feeling and returned to thoughts of Hermione.
Back in late-morning sun, he felt rejuvenated. He saw Hermione and Luna come outside just moments after he sat at the table. He no longer felt the guilt for his dream with Hermione, but he knew he touched her more softly than usual and kissed her even more tenderly as their lips met in what was supposed to be a casual kiss lingered longer than usual. Her eyes lit up and she blushed in surprise. "Ooh," she kidded, "you should take naps more often." A brief look of understanding passed over her face as she backed away.
Her expression changed slightly to diffuse the situation as she tried desperately to change the topic from the kiss as she realized where she was. "By the way, I was the one who looked like death warmed over after running. What gives you the right to run off and take a nap? Were you tired from the laughing at my expense this morning? How do you fall asleep like that at nine-thirty in the morning?" she chided. It appeared the kiss had thrown her into such tizzy that she talked a million miles an hour.
He laughed and said, "First, I never laughed at you. Second, I just wanted to get away and visualize the things I have to do over the next few days and falling asleep just happened when there were no girls around chirping at me. And, third, Miss Smarty Pants, I am one-hundred percent positive that you wish you could fall into a daydream like that." He knew that one day in a private moment he'd tell her of his dream.
"I wasn't chirping at you," she replied defensively. "I think I was reading and you felt neglected, if anything."
"I'm sorry, I suppose I was trying to be funny and got carried away," he grinned hoping that she saw he was kidding.
"Yeah, you'd better take that back or I'll…I'll have to hand my Dad a big stick to beat you with," she joked.
Harry laughed at the thought of her saying, "And, yes, Daddy, he was making fun of me. Will you hit him with this a few times please?" He cringed and played along.
"So, what were you two doing?" he looked at Luna who seemed to have enjoyed the show.
"People say I'm a little off," she said quietly. "You two are the real nutcases here." She paused. "I was showing Hermione my collection of ingredients for rare potions that I've managed to collect here this summer."
"You know, Harry, Luna does have some cool stuff," Hermione admitted as she listed some of them.
Harry thought it was funny how the attic worked. If two people entered the attic at the same time, they could talk between their cubicles or go to the same one. But if you entered independently, you were alone with your thoughts in a separate space. It was like the Room of Requirement, but only in that it provided your version of your room as you needed and nothing more. He'd been there changing while they had been there looking at Luna's collection and never knew the other was present.
He returned to reality, trying to seem interested. It was the same to him as it was when Neville was excited about his herbs. "Wow, now that's pretty cool that you guys enjoy some of the same stuff." He was careful not to comment on what they were actually saying because he had no idea what they were talking about. Sparrow feather this, spider leg that…it was all Greek to Harry.
It seemed no one had energy that day. The day would have been perfect he thought if there was a huge swimming pool. The heat of the day brought out the garden hoses first. Seamus started chasing Parvati who convinced her sister to help get the hose from him. Then the girls started spraying every guy within 20 feet until they were chased away screaming in excitement by Seamus and Dean coming for the hose again. It was the kind of silly fun that made everybody stop and laugh fifteen minutes later drenched and happy.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood out of the line of fire with broad smiles watching these kids who had so much energy and life. Everyone was drenched, that is, except Harry and Hermione because they sat so close to the elder Weasleys. Harry waited for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to go back inside and then nonchalantly grabbed the hose and did his best to soak Hermione to the bone. He soon realized his mistake as he'd never figured she could command such respect from everyone to gang up on him and hold him down while they mercilessly sprayed him from close range. He kept his eyes shut and mouth closed so he didn't drown. He wanted to laugh and couldn't help but feel he was getting his just-desserts.
Harry stood up slipping in the wet grass holding onto Hermione. "See, I have friends too Harry." She laughed.
"Oh, not for long, I will find them one by one and pay them back," he promised. "You're all going to pay for this you know." Another squirt from the hose hit him square in the back.
"I'd be sure I was out of range or that the hose was put away before I made any threats, mate," said Dean standing next to Seamus with the hose with a smirk.
"Okay, okay," he said cackling away as he and Hermione found a place to sit and get dried by the sun.
The grass dried quickly in the sun and so did everyone's clothes. Harry lay quietly with his head in Hermione's lap as she sat against the upturned picnic table that several people used as a backboard. Everyone was quiet and comfortable. People switched from places in and out of the sun all afternoon. They chatted about nothing and everything at the same time. The Daily Prophet reported two more unexplained deaths in towns far from the Burrow that had been left with the Dark Mark over them. Olivander had been found amongst the homeless just outside Diagon Alley as well.
"Hermione, I'm not sure I like hearing the news at all. I know it's important, but it's really hard to sit here knowing there is work to be done," he said dejectedly. "How did Professor Dumbledore think that I was going to be able to pull this off?"
Hermione answered as if she'd had this pat answer stored for this very moment. "Don't fret, Sweetheart, you will have the support and strength to do what you need to when the time comes. We will all be there to guide you in spirit if nothing else."
Harry shivered at the prospect of only having Hermione with him in spirit. He knew that wasn't how she meant it, but the picture in his mind and the implications for both of their fates were eerily possible. He answered as if he took I the way he thought she meant it. "Thanks for that, Sweetheart. I know you're confidence in me comes from the heart, but it's hard to see from my perspective."
The evening and night unfolded before them before they knew it. The crackling of the fire in front of him disturbed his thoughts only a few times. Hermione had gone into the house to fetch them some drinks and he welcomed her return.
"Hermione, I'm going to have to go to the Dursleys' sometime over the next three days. I don't know how this `pact' as you called it affects me and them. I just know there are things in that house that I don't want my Uncle messing with," he said.
"We can go Saturday, but I really don't want to go on Friday, darling. There is too great a chance that they would spoil the mood," she reasoned. "Saturday, your agreement with them is done and there is no need to wait any longer or go any earlier."
It was a simple night, much like the day had been. Harry and Hermione talked with everyone as they moved in to chat for a minute. Or, as they had gone to stretch their legs they stopped and chatted with Neville. It was relaxing. "Well, Neville, tomorrow's your big day and the one after is mine."
"Yeah, it seems weird to look back, Harry. I remember when we first went to Hogwarts. Remember when my Gran sent the Rememberall and I was so forgetful I couldn't remember where it was. I was pathetic. Well, maybe, I still am," he smiled half-jokingly and half serious. Ginny walked back to where the three of them sat to make four.
"Neville, you are not pathetic. What would make you say such a thing?" Ginny declared.
Hermione added. "You were shy, Neville and no one, I mean no one has come out of their shell like you or become such a good friend like you."
"Thanks girls, that's nice. But I still feel awkward and tomorrow that's supposed to end, right? I'll be an adult," he smiled. "I don't think so."
"You're sweet though, Neville. And, sweet is good enough in my book," said Ginny quietly. Hermione looked at Harry who motioned with a slight head movement to leave.
"Hey, see you in the morning guys," said Neville resuming some conversation with Ginny.
The sat back down and started to get comfortable. "You know, I'm just really tired all of a sudden, Harry. Would you mind if I went in and got some sleep?"
He guessed it was at least as late as last night, yet still earlier than they'd gone to bed most nights during the summer. He thought he could probably sleep too. "You know, if you're not already sore, you might wake up sore from running. If you want we can do some stretches in the morning and just go for a walk to get that soreness out."
"Actually, my legs have been killing me all night. Would you mind giving my hamstrings and calves a little massage?" asked Hermione
Harry didn't mind at all. He wished he'd had someone to ask for help when he started a few weeks to a month before. He was gentle at first to find out how much pressure to use until she said it felt like it was helping. He pressed hard with his thumbs in between the muscles in her calves when he realized she tolerated it well. He could feel the knots release ever so slightly both there and in her hamstrings. He stretched her out as best as he knew how without any formal training. He helped her up off the ground.
"Thanks, Harry. They feel a little better. I really notice it when I walk up or down those three short stairs. I haven't tried the big set to the room since early this afternoon. That's why I didn't go change after the water fight. I'll bet it's not as bad now," she smiled.
She couldn't have been hurting that badly. Two of the days while she was at her parents he couldn't bend over to the picnic table without cringing in pain. He had really overdone it. She either had a high pain threshold or didn't know what real pain was. He didn't show it, but he was giggling that a bit.
He walked with her. She went up the stairs and looked at him. "Hey, that felt a hundred percent better than when I came back with the drinks earlier." They put their glasses in the sink and walked up the stairs toward her room. This was a bigger test. "Better, but I can feel it. I think I'll be surprised by morning though. They'll feel better."
Harry put his hand on her waist and kissed her. "Yesterday was one of the happiest of my life Hermione. Today was one of the best I've had here at the Burrow because of it. I can't wait to go out for my birthday."
"I'm excited too," she said as their lips met again. "Goodnight, Sweetie."
"Goodnight, Hermione," he said.
Hermione was right. She woke up feeling refreshed and nearly all the stiffness was gone. She knew it was partly because they were young and partly because Harry had done a good job massaging out the knots and getting the blood flowing with his massage.
"Ready to go walking," she said bouncing down the stairs as Harry put on his runners in the parlor chair.
"Wow, you look full of energy," he said. "I thought you were hiding out on me and that's why I hadn't seen you yet."
"Nope, I just had a hard time getting up to the alarm because I slept so soundly," she said. "I think I slept better because of the exercise."
"Probably, so," he said. "Well, let's go then." He set the pace to one where they could both but not in super-long sentences. He felt the pressure in his lungs too. If done right a vigorous walk was good exercise too.
By noon, the preparations for Neville's and his party were starting to show. He was kicked out of the kitchen by Hermione, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny at least three times and so was Neville. He and Neville knew it was the birthday cake that they had baked and were decorating. They made it a game trying to sneak a peek.
"Aw, come on guys," pleaded Hermione we want it to be a surprise. The boys laughed like little kids and quit before they did spoil the fun for the women.
The biggest surprise was the arrival of Bill and Fleur around two. Harry and Hermione were the most shocked since they'd seen him the other day with no mention of when Bill would be released from St. Mungo's. Bill and Fleur were just there for as long as Bill could take it and say, `Happy Birthday' to Harry and Neville then back to the small flat they'd gotten close to Diagon Alley and Gringott's. The real advantage was that it wasn't far from St. Mungo's for his follow-up care, if anything went wrong.
They were just starting to organize another Quidditch scrimmage as Bill and Fleur prepared to leave. "Hey Harry, are you coming in here to talk to us before we go?" called Bill.
"Sure, just a second, sorry." Harry replied. He was helping a couple of the guys put the rings up on near end of the field. He said, "I think Bill's leaving. I'll be back in few."
Neville had been in his little cubicle upstairs when they called him. Had he and Harry both known they were being called at the same time they might have figured out that the celebration was about to begin.
Harry got inside just a few seconds before Neville got to the bottom of the stairs but once they were both there, the room erupted into a loud "Happy Birthday." The cake was cool. It wasn't super-sized, but it was bigger than he'd seen before with small caricatures of him and Neville in icing. They were in their robes with crossed sparkling wands.
Harry understood the secrecy of the cake now. He had no idea how the ladies managed it and didn't care. It was awesome. They sang, "Happy Birthday."
"Hey, mate, it's nice to be useful for something," quipped Bill. "I heard gossip that I'd better catch you today because you were being captured and held hostage by some lovesick girl tomorrow." Everyone laughed, even Ron. Bill had a way of loosening people up.
Hermione kissed him on the cheek, "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart."
He turned to Neville patted him on the shoulder congratulated him. As they both had everyone come shake hands a greet them.
"I was going to save the cake for after dinner tonight, but Bill surprised us," said Mrs. Weasley. "Who wants some?" Naturally, everyone did.
One more hand hit is shoulder, "Happy Birthday, mate. I can't let everyone else act like they're closer than us." It was Ron. They gave each other a quick manly hug and went on with business.
"That's cool," said Harry. "Thanks, Bro." The sentiment wasn't lost on either of them.
"I'm going whip your butt again out their today," pointed Ron toward the makeshift Quidditch pitch.
"Yeah, I suppose you can back that up too, but we'll give it a go," said Harry accepting the challenge.
They all ate cake and talked for a few a half-hour or so until Bill told them he wanted to see some Quidditch before he left and he'd have to go soon. That was the signal. Hot, tired or stuffed with cake, it didn't matter. They split up into the same teams as yesterday and stormed the sky. Hermione watched proudly as her boyfriend and ex-boyfriend seemed be mending the fences after a rather long silence.
Harry was a lot more successful today, but Ron was just that good. He knew if they had a Golden Snitch, it would be the only way they could beat Ron's team. He'd have to get it early or Ron would shut them down until the lead was too big for the snitch to matter. He was glad for his friend. They played to fifteen and most games ended up fifteen to six or something similar. George was better in goal today too. So the games lasted longer. The one game where Harry started to get the swing of things ended up 15-12, but that was the best they could do.
By nightfall, Bill was long gone and everyone was exhausted. Dinner served to slow everyone down even further. The menu consisted of barbecued spare ribs or chicken, corn on the cob, mashed or baked potatoes, baked beans and at least three types of pasta salads that Harry could remember.
After dinner, he sat with Hermione between his legs and his arms around her waist straddling the picnic bench. It seemed there was one last moment for celebration.
"Okay, everyone could I have your attention please?" requested George standing in the middle of the table. "My Mum and Dad wanted me or one of my brothers to tell all of you what a joy it's been to have you guys here this summer, which is a load of rubbish, but I said I'd do it anyway." Everyone laughed. "They know there is a week or so left before the wedding and shortly after that we finish up here. So, they arranged to put on a special show for us all on a night that is meant to for celebration. Please watch to the west."
The night sky erupted in one great big boom as a huge red firework exploded over their heads. "Everyone oohed at it." Harry was just able to tell Hermione, "This is fantastic, Sweetheart. I love you," before the next group of fireworks went off and the deafening noise continued for quite some time. She smiled and rubbed his arms where they lay lightly around her.
That finished the night for everyone. Harry and Hermione were getting ready to head off when Harry remembered he needed to get his gift for her somehow tomorrow.
"Hermione, if we don't have a hotel room, how are we going to change clothes? We're going to spend the whole day there right?"
"Harry, we'll just have to come back and forth here. I thought we talked about this," she said looking a little confused, even strained by his question.
"I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I wasn't trying to change our plans. I just have to do a few things in the city myself tomorrow and I was wondering if you had a plan I wasn't aware of on how to take care of changing clothes," he explained.
"No, I think that's the best way. What do you need to do?" she asked in a helpful way.
Harry really had no clue yet. He'd fallen asleep and never resolved it in his mind. He was sorry he'd forgotten it again until now. Maybe if she knew it was for her, she'd understand. "I just wanted to look around for something to surprise you with too, Sweetheart. You're going to so much trouble and expense."
"Harry, my birthday is in two months. You can surprise me then. Don't worry about me. My pleasure is in making this special for you," she smiled and in her signature expression of kindness caressed his face with her hand, kissing him lightly. "Please, don't go out of your way. If you do something simple while we're goofing off tomorrow that will be enough."
"I'm not sure you realize how thankful I am for you. I want you to know and never doubt that I feel your love in everything you do for me," he said.
Hermione's face broke into a wide grin as tiny little tears of joy formed in the corners of her eyes. "You know `I love you' is over used. What you just said is so much cooler. I'm kind of sorry you found the words to express if first. Because now all I can say is that's how I feel too."
They kissed. When they broke apart, neither of them was sure who might have seen them. They had never kissed each other like that in the open before. Yet, as they looked around, no one was there. So they shrugged and went off to bed smiling.
A/N: Coming Soon: Seventeen, Going Twice
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