The Detour

Disclaimer: No, I'm not JK…if I was, well, I would have posted he harmonious part of Deathly Hallows, not a fanfic created from the Trophy Room Challenge (From Miss Mady) here on portkey. Honestly! Anyways, enjoy!

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That was it- the inner demons were no longer pressing against his chest…it was safe once more. Harry unfurled his body, greedily sucking in the air and gave thanks he was out of that terrible place. The sound of dead grass being crushed caused him to lean back his head and look at the intruder. Hermione had crouched down and was currently at level with him; her eyes spoke of great concern.

“Harry, are you alright?” Hermione questioned. When Harry eyed her warily, she flinched, but continued, “of course you're not alright. You just ran out of the Great Hall. What I meant to say is, well, are you hurt? And, is there anything that I can do?”

Harry peered around her, searching for any other figures that might possibly approach. He couldn't see Ron or Ginny, but that didn't mean they weren't on their way. He turned back to Hermione, who seemed to sense the information he needed.

“If you're looking for the others, they aren't coming. After you sprinted away, I told them that it would be better if they left,” Hermione paused, a small smirk passing over her lips. “You'd be happy to know they were both concerned as I shoved them into the Floo, but I told them we'd meet back at the Burrow when you were ready” She stopped once more and searched Harry's face, seeing some reluctance. “Would you be willing to go back, or do you want to stay a while?”

Harry was taken aback for a moment, but realized he didn't want to go back to the Burrow, not yet. Since the passing of his birthday and the imminent transfer to the Weasley's home, things had become complicated between Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Harry had learned Ron and Hermione had briefly tried dating without much success; there had been no specifics as to what had happened during their relationship, but Ron had been decidedly cool towards Harry since. He'd taken the company of Hermione when he could, but she too was distant and Harry was becoming weary-Ginny would not leave him alone. She had discovered their quest (Harry didn't know how) and was set on being with them, to prove herself an equal partner in the Trio's impending journey. Harry had tried to explain that she wasn't needed (or wanted), but nothing seemed to work and he was on the verge of jinxing her to give him alone time with Hermione or to patch things up with Ron.

Harry sighed, stretching his limbs out, he had made his decision. He'd be at the Burrow during the day, but lodge in Grimmauld Place at night. It would be very lonely at Grimmauld, though; he glanced at Hermione, who had taken the opportunity to sit next to him and wondered if she would be willing to join him. Harry was sure she'd say yes, but he wasn't sure how to ask her without seeming being too forward. During the many desolate nights at Privet Drive (and even some at the Burrow), Hermione had etched herself into his dreams. He had experienced many late night fantasies with her as the alluring temptress he could never catch. Harry had convinced himself, at the time, that his bored and lonely mind was just playing tricks with him; that he respected her too much to think of her in any way that wasn't friendship, but since being reunited with Hermione, all he wanted to do was, well, do Hermione. Harry was even more entranced with her as he observed her daily, but Ginny's attentions had pushed Hermione away from him before…Harry shook his head, he was getting off subject. He needed Hermione with him badly and the only way to accomplish that would be to ask her to stay. He finally girded up the courage and opened his mouth.

“Ummm, Hermione, would you, uh, be, well, would you be willing to-“

“Harry, if you want, I could go with you. Would you like me to?”

He nodded with relief and rose to leave, but Hermione grabbed his hand and pulled him back down.

“We're not leaving yet. We have a mission to complete, so let's get down to doing it”. Harry blushed profusely as his mind suddenly went off in various directions, all to do with exploring and satisfying Hermione in pleasurable ways. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice his sudden vacant expression or uncomfortable shift of arms and clothing, so she continued on.

“It was just the Great Hall that gave you the trouble, wasn't it?” Harry nodded dumbly, “I don't want you to relive any unpleasant memories, Harry, but understand that I need to use that library and don't want to lose the opportunity - we might not get the chance to come here again. With very few staff and no student poking around, if you're uncomfortable entering the Great Hall, it certainly wouldn't be a problem to use another entrance.”

Harry, with his appendages in check - enough to pay attention, had managed to listen to Hermione's words and was in agreement with her - the library and its knowledge was a necessity and only the Great Hall had given him trouble, so Harry spoke, “Do you think the second corridor entrance would be suitable? Once we detour through the Trophy Room…” He mentally smacked himself - he'd crossed the line with that remark.

Though he hadn't known it until earlier that year (when Seamus suggested Harry take Ginny there), the Trophy Room was the Hogwarts version of Love Den giving various couples and non-couples a quiet and secluded place to have a quick shag (or a long one, depending on who you were and how good your locking charm was). He hadn't used the room himself, but Harry was sure Hermione would quickly deduce what his suggestion might mean. There were plenty of other ways to get to the Library without using the Great Hall or the Trophy Room. He braced himself for the imminent `No', but amazingly, heard a “Yes” instead.

Hermione had a dark blush staining her cheeks, but Harry didn't notice, as he was on his feet almost immediately. If he was going to go through the Trophy Room with her, it might as well be done as quickly as possible, before he (and his member) got any false hope of Hermione having any use for him that wasn't blatantly platonic. Perhaps she didn't know what the Trophy Room was used for - from what he knew, the information was passed only through the male dorm system. He reached out his hand to help her up and she accepted. He turned so that they were both facing the correct direction and started walking quickly. Hermione had to jog to catch up to him and when she reached him grabbed for his hand and slowed the pace, all the while, softly stroking his palm with her thumb. Harry inwardly jumped, beginning to feel the pleasurable effects of her caress.

Twenty minutes later, the pair reached the second corridor entrance. Harry quickly checked over his shoulder to ensure that no one could see them and opened the door, pausing to let Hermione in first. He followed her silently as she navigated the dark hallway, attempting to regain his composure (yet again) and not to sound as breathless as he felt. Eventually, she reached the door, pulled it opened and peered in. Hermione slammed the door shut and turned around, leaning back with a look of utter shock on her face. Harry, alarmed, pulled out his wand and reached for the knob, but Hermione smacked it away.

“Harry,” she hissed, “Don't go in - it looks like Pomfrey forgot to use a locking charm…We should just wait till they're done”.

“Pomfrey in the Trophy Room! Who is she with anyways?” Harry's eyes widened. “Is she there with Filch? I want to see this!”

“Yes, she's in there with Filch, but trust me, you don't want to see what's going on”, Hermione insisted. “We should just wait our turn”.

Harry opened his mouth to object, but Hermione's words caused him to change his mind. He bent down to Hermione and whispered in her ear, “What do you mean, `wait our turn'? We aren't going to the Library anymore?”

Hermione shivered, “Harry, I know what the Trophy Room is for and I agreed to go through there because-.”

“How do you know what the Room is for?”

“Because I've been brought there for reasons other then meeting Malfoy for duels or admiring Tom Riddle's many plaques”. Hermione snorted as she stepped back from Harry and put her ear to the door. After a minute, she turned back to him. “Harry, they're gone. Do you want to come in with me or not?” She opened the door, stared straight at him, challenging him with her gaze and cautiously walked in. Harry trailed after her; completely oblivious to the many trophies and plaques glowing in the soft, dreamy light…he had one thought seared on his mind.

“Hermione, who brought you here?” He demanded, jealousy pulsing through him. “Was it Ron?”

She rolled her eyes, “It was Krum, if you must. Viktor brought me, but I didn't do much with him…kissing him was like pressing my lips to two sausages. I would never go here with Ron. When we were together, Ron and I, it was all complete rubbish - we had no real chemistry …there was nothing there. Now, you and I, we have something.”

Suddenly, Hermione face softened as her eyes focused on the only other being in the room, “Harry, I don't know what you feel, but I agreed to come here so I could find out what it's like to kiss someone I love. I've never done it before and my heart says that if I don't try now, I'll never know. Please, will you?”

Harry was astonished at Hermione's words; who could believe that she felt something-anything-for him beyond mere friendship. He observed her in the soft candle light and realized that though plain to society's standards, she was simply gorgeous in his eyes. Harry could have stood there in shock all night, but Hermione reacted to the silence as if it was rejection. She dropped her head, allowed her shoulders to slump and began to breathe heavily, as if keeping something from him. Harry brought his hand up to rumple his dark hair; he knew it was time to confess. He briskly stepped towards her, removing his hand from his hair as his other went to cradle and stroke Hermione's face, though she kept her eyes low.

“Remember the first time we came here?” Harry asked. She nodded sadly. “Lots of things have happened in this room: we've snuck in to meet enemies for duals, scoured the room for information on Head Boys, Ron's even had to polish all the silverware, but none of those little events are nearly as exciting or memorable as the adventure I'm about to take.” Harry took Hermione into his embrace, his heart skipping a beat when she leaned onto his chest and wrapped her arms around him, holding him closer and harder then anyone had ever before. “Hermione, that adventure is going to be kissing you, holding you, caring for you, maybe even loving you. I want to make you mine.”

With that, Harry slid his arms from Hermione's waist and brought them to her shoulders. He adjusted them both so he could see into her beautiful, luminous brown orbs, filled with a new passion and fire he hadn't seen before. Harry's eyes traveled down to her cheeks, rose tinged and speckled with many freckles. He began to focus on her nose until her tongue caught his attention, peeking out, moistening her lips. Harry began leaning forward, eager to have their lips meet when Hermione suddenly surged backwards.

“Harry, we can't do this…not until one of us scourgifys the entire room. Pomfrey and Filch may have been over there,” she pointed to one in the darkest corner of the room. “But I'm not interested in being near their after-shag atmosphere”.

“You could have mentioned this before-when I wasn't within inches of your lips. Am I supposed to clean up the mess?” He laughed.

Hermione gave him a sly smile before whispering, “You're a great wizard, Harry… and if you clean up their mess, I sure won't mind cleaning up ours.”

Harry's eyes expanded to the size of saucers and before Hermione knew it, the room was sparkling clean, each and every case, trophy and bit of paraphernalia was glimmeringly clean. Even the few benches had transformed themselves into soft, plushy red couches, with the occasional cushion plumped into the corners.

“Oh, Harry! You didn't even pull out your wand!” She giggled as her arms came up around his neck and leaned in against him, “But I sure can feel your spare!”

“Enough about wands, Mione-I'd much rather be kissing you.” Hermione turned up her face and Harry gently brought his lips to her, taking it slowly as he savoured the feel of her pressed up against him; Hermione however had other plans. She teasing ran her tongue across his lower lip and once Harry opened his lips, plunged into exploring the new territory.

When Harry had gotten over the initial shock, he eagerly explored the crevices of Hermione's mouth, enjoying the unique taste. A dual began between their tongues, attempting to out wit the other and after what seemed like hours, their hand joined in the game; attempting to stake claim on various body parts of the other as their own. Harry's hands eventually rounded out to the front of Hermione's shirt and were about to creep under it when she suddenly pulled back. Her dazed expression and shaking hands caused Harry to fear it had been too much when a self-satisfied smile began to overtake her face. She just stood there for a minute or so until she finally spoke.

“Well, Harry,” she said, exuberant with glee, “I think I understand how glorious kissing can be with chemistry-I think we should be doing much more of it”

Harry was bewildered, “Then why on earth did we stop?”

“Because,” she simply replied, eyes sparkling with a newfound mischief, “I wanted to let you know that since we've explored the boundaries of kissing and minor groping, I'd like to move on to the next step.”

“And what would that be…”

Hermione pounced onto Harry, causing him to fall onto a lovely large couch (Author's Note: not the one Pomfrey and Filch used) then lifted up her shirt to reveal a modest bra. “I want us to be touching skin to skin, silly-now hurry up and take off your shirt!” she commanded. He was all too eager to obey her, pulling off his shirt, while Hermione peeled off her bra, revealing her breasts and protruding nipples. Harry made a motion to carefully touch them as he leaned in to kiss her once more, but Hermione was impatient. “Harry, we're going to be here all week if you go at this pace and I'm afraid I want to shag you senseless…RIGHT NOW!!!”

Harry roared with laughter, “Well, I intend to take it a little more slowly. This is our first time and I want to try out a few methods I've heard about, but I think we should be more concerned about locking the doors. I don't want any others to get an eyeful-especially of us!” Harry made a short swiping motion with his hand and almost instantaneously, several larges thuds resounded from the doors.

After performing the locking spell once more (just to be sure every entrance was completely locked), Harry leaned in and kissed Hermione's nose. “Now, where were we?”

The end