CHAPTER 5 - Around and Around It Goes
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. All characters are creations of Joanne K Rowling, © 2007, to whom I am deeply indebted.
A/N: I'd also like to give credit to DrT (Triwizard Redux) for planting the "what if" seed of changing Harry's escape at the end of Gof. And special thanks to The Scribbler for the most excellent beta work.
A/N: Hey guys, this is mostly a fluff chapter. Nothing really moves plotwise yet, but I just wanted to have this slice of HHr before we get into the gritty stuff.
Author's Note:
Pursuant to the Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988 and the Digital Millennium Copywrite Act of 1998, this work is copywrited 2007 with all rights expressly reserved by its author unless explicitly granted. No portion may be reproduced in any fashion without the express written and notarized permission of the author.
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Hermione had been up for quite a while. Safely ensconced under the warm covers, she stared at the ceiling of one of the guest rooms at Black Manor.
She had spent a restless night and right now, she wasn't feeling inclined to leave her comfortable, soft bed. Her reason? Most probably, it was still sleeping in the room adjoined to her bathroom. What was happening to her? She asked herself. The swirl of attraction she felt for Harry yesterday was decidedly unfriendly and being caught unaware that she was attracted to her best friend was throwing off her whole equilibrium.
She can't really like Harry, she tried to reason herself. He's Harry. Wait, that's completely illogical, she rolled her eyes. Fine, she might be attracted to him. Ughh, who was she kidding?! Ever since second year, she's been feeling the slight tugs of attraction and somehow it started to hit her full force when he caught her in his arms the day she saw him again here at the Hole. He just looked so fine and happy. She can at least admit that. But he had always been so preoccupied and hadn't showed her the slightest notice. Even Ron had at least had given her an appreciative look or two, while Harry had always been such a sweet, blasted gentleman. She didn't know whether to like him more for this trait or not. Oh no, like him more? That could only mean I do like him. This is really annoying. She gave up and lifted herself off the bed. She turned to go to the bath as she continued her internal debate.
Well at least I know he likes how I look, she thought as she turned on the shower. She smiled when she remembered his face when he first saw her coming down the stairs at the Yule Ball. Hermione shivered delightfully as the unexpected compliment he gave her body yesterday slipped in her mind. I wonder if he's been having the same problems with their proximity this summer? No, that's absurd; she corrected herself as she took off her clothes and went in the shower. Why would he? Wasn't he completely normal when they woke up snuggled in each other's arms? He had just acted like it was nothing when he had been rubbing his face in my... Hermione shook her head.
Okay, so I like him for sure. I'm just not sure if I do like him enough. And what am I going to do now? This couldn't have happened at a more inopportune time, you guys, she scolded her hormones. We need to concentrate on our lessons this summer. And he already has too much happening. I can't add this, too. If this is confusing me like this, he'll be worse and he doesn't need another simpering fan. I just have to control my reactions as best as I can. Not like my when I blurted out what I thought about his body yesterday. That was a really stupid move, Hermione, she scolded herself as she toweled herself dry. It's not good to have a completely bewildering conversation with my inner self either, she thought mockingly. She dressed and looked at herself at the full length mirror. Collect yourself, she admonished her reflection. Harry doesn't need the additional adolescent issues she's having. Maybe it's best just to ignore everything for the moment. And if something else happens, well, I'll just have to deal with that. Reaching some sort of truce, she went downstairs to start on breakfast.
Thinking the whole house still asleep, she was surprised when an appetizing smell reached her nose as she neared the kitchen.
"Wotcher, Hermione." The witch at the stove didn't even turn around when she entered.
"Morning, Tonks. How'd you know it was me?" She went to the steaming pot of freshly brewed coffee before sitting down at the table.
Bringing a plate of crispy bacon to the table, Tonks suddenly stumbled for no apparent reason.
"Oh, no!"
"Immobilus!"
Tonks heaved a sigh and started plucking the bacons from where they hung suspended in mid-air. "Thanks, Hermione."
"No problem. You look a bit tired. Did you get enough sleep last night?"
"I fell asleep waiting for Remus to come to my apartment. I was having a bit of trouble with a trunk from work and had asked him to come take a look. He came around pretty late, saying that he left Dumbledore, Sirius and Harry still talking. That's how I figured you would be the only one up this early."
"Professor Lupin was at your apartment late last night?" Hermione arched a teasing eyebrow. They had grown a bit close being the only two females in a swarm of testosterone.
Tonks was hiding her look of pleasure miserably. "Oh hush, I'll get that enough from Sirius when he wakes up. And to inform your overactive imagination, nothing happened. He helped me, that's all, and we talked."
"Oh, about what?" The teen gave her a wide grin.
"Just about what's been happening. And how glad he was that I've been spending so much time here helping out with Harry and you. And now with the Weasleys. God, that man is so frustrating! If I hadn't had a crush on him since I was ten…"
Hermione finally gave in and laughed. It was sort of nice to know she wasn't the only one having boy issues.
"I think I might know what you mean."
"You do? Pray tell, Ms. Granger, enlighten me." The older witch's eyes were practically twinkling with amusement.
"Um, I just meant I could sympathize with what you were saying." She could feel her cheeks burning.
"Hey, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted to take the Mickey out of you a little." Tonks was immediately contrite.
She quickly pacified the witch. "Oh, I know. I'm sorry. It wasn't anything you said. I'm just a little… off this morning."
"What's wrong?" Tonks had a look of concern. "You can tell me anything, y'know. We are the only women here, we have to be able to turn to each other." She gave her a soft, companionable smile.
Hermione studied the older witch. She realized she was having a difficult time with their conversation. It's been one of her frustrations not to have that many girl friends. She spent her time almost exclusively with Harry and Ron. Ginny, she developed a friendship somewhat out of opportunity but theirs had the big sister-little sister dynamic more than equal confidants. It hit her that there really wasn't anyone she could turn to when it came to her more feminine issues. Maybe this summer was also an opportunity for her to forge new friendships.
Unknown to the girl, Tonks was also studying her with the same calculating eye. The time they've spent together was still limited, she admitted. But she had grown to like the younger witch. She was exceedingly bright, kind, and a force to be reckoned with from what she saw at the lessons she's observed in the dueling room. But she wasn't arrogant, and was entirely too unpretentious. She also noticed how stilted their talks became whenever they grazed into more 'feminine' territory as if the girl was quite unsure how to sustain the conversation. She reached a decision. "I like you, Hermione. I'd really like us to have a chance to be close friends."
The girl didn't say anything for a moment. And then her face broke into a smile. "I'd really like that too. Thank you, Tonks." She said softly.
She grinned. "Now that we have that out of the way, you're having boy troubles aren't you?"
The witch turned a bright red and dropped her eyes to her breakfast. "I'm not sure if they can be called that as more like I'm a little confused over… "
"How you feel about him?" She shot the girl an understanding look.
"Yes, a little."
"Um, how little exactly?"
"Fine, it's not a little thing. It's very new though. I mean, I think that's why I'm so affected. I think the attraction was always there but I never really noticed because of a lot of other factors. But now, well, it seems determined in making itself known. Though on the other hand, that can just be because of the circumstances since it hasn't really been an issue before. I mean, such feelings can't really mysteriously appear from nowhere right? They should have some sort of basis…a foundation, if you will. I really don't think chemistry is just based on bodily pheromones. I'd like to think that relationships are made from something much more meaningful than that, don't you? Of course, I can't be entirely sure. I haven't really had the experience from which to base it from. However, if you look at it from another angle, you could say that it might be a repercussion of what we've shared. Then again, how would you be able to tell if it's real or not if you don't have a 'normal' model to compare it with? Besides, what exactly constitutes 'normal' anyway?" Hermione shrugged her shoulder in irritation.
Tonks had a thoughtful look on her face. "Has anyone ever told you how much you analyzed your emotions?"
Hermione was stunned. "I do? Um, maybe it's just a natural reaction. I tend to be like that." She said sheepishly.
Tonks nodded. Then she sent haltingly, "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. And don't take this the wrong way, Hermione. But you have to learn to loosen up a little." At the girl's slightly affronted look, she quickly explained. "I don't mean it like that. I meant it in terms of being," She searched for the best way to describe it, "comfortable with yourself. I've noticed you've always seemed too tense. It's like you don't really trust your body and your instincts. You are an independent, empowered young woman. Take pride in that and not try to downplay almost everything that makes you female just because you may think it's too girly and weak."
Hermione looked despondent. "I just don't seem to fit. I mean, I can't really bring myself to gush at the guys like most girls in my year do. I like learning and I adore books too much. I think it's important to have priorities and goals rather than sweat over who's going to be my next date. I do have my crushes but I don't exactly think it's necessary to spend every waking moment obsessing over them. I'm not interested in debating whether the rose blush or pink frost is a better shade of lip gloss for four hours when it looks exactly the same to me. I mean, there must be a reason why the only close and best friends I have are both guys. I just can't stand all the girly stuff they all do."
"That's not being girly, sweetie. That's actually a little bit bordering on silly." Hermione's head snapped back to look at Tonks who was giggling a little.
"There's a difference between being too girly and being proud and comfortable being a woman. It's not all about knowing make-up and the latest trend in shoes. It's more on knowing what you want, attuned to what you feel and not being ashamed of it. We have a wider range of emotions than most men thus we're more sensitive to everything which tend to make us more vulnerable - but never weaker - than them. You have to learn to see the distinction. Being feminine does not make you weaker. Actually, you should be conscious that we do wield a sexual power over them that they usually have not an iota how to control." She said with a smirk. "Be aware of your sexuality and don't be afraid to embrace it."
The teenager fell silent digesting this new perspective that Tonks was offering. It was definitely intriguing and she can see what the woman was trying to make her understand. It's nice to be able to turn to someone about all this for a change, she admitted.
"I have an idea. Why don't we have a girl's day out? Away from all these guys, let's do some shopping in London and have a go at a salon?"
Hermione looked at the older witch from head to toe. Tonks didn't even bat an eyelash at her appraising look she gave her when she would have squirmed and definitely blushed if she had been at the receiving end of such an inspection. "Why do you need to go to a salon? You're gorgeous and a metamorphagus. You can just transform into what you want. And we have several beauty potions we can make in that makeshift lab Sirius made."
"I don't go for the normal reasons, of course. I go to be pampered. I usually go when I feel a bit down or in a terrible emotional state. You'll feel loads better, trust me. It's one of my secret girly indulgences so don't dare mention it to Remus or Sirius." She paused. "Or Harry!"
"I promise." Hermione had small smile.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Change and I'll leave a note for the men of the house, quickly!" The teenager excitedly went up to her room, her day definitely brighter than when she started it.
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"It seems the ladies have left to make mischief," Sirius told Harry when he came in for lunch, motioning to the folded note on the table. They had stayed up so late last night; he had just woken up.
Remus looked up from his plate. "Hello, Harry. How are you this morning? Or rather, afternoon?"
"Very good, thanks, Remus. How was the visit?" Harry teased.
Remus groaned. "Please, not you, too. I've already had a good ribbing from Padfoot. And no, nothing happened. She needed help. I helped her. We talked a little. And then I left."
"What did you guys talk about? Anything interesting?"
"They talked about how good Tonks was in helping us out." Sirius rolled his eyes. "You are still hopeless when it comes to women, Moony."
"She can't be interested in me, Padfoot. Or have you forgotten my furry little problem?" Remus growled.
"She isn't like that! And you can't live like a monk forever because of your insecurities. Just because you can't get over your problem doesn't mean other people can't either. She's liked you since we were kids or have you forgotten how she used to hang around us all the time and bug you?"
"She deserves better."
Sirius gave derisive snort but let the go of the issue temporarily. "What do you say if we make like the girls and go to Diagon Alley to get you some contacts?" He asked Harry. "We can try some of those glamours you've been itching to use so that no one would recognize you. We'll need to refresh the charms every hour or so but I think we can wing it since we're only going to be there for a few hours."
"There's magical contacts? How do they work?"
"Well, there aren't any permanent ways of fixing your eyes unless you'd like to have that muggle transfiguration that they have now with a laser thing. But some enterprising Healer had adapted the muggle contacts and modified it magically. They still look like the muggle ones but you won't have to take them out every night and then put them back in everyday. There's a potion they'll give you which would refresh and clean it. It's similar to those eye drops, I think they are called. You just have to remember to squeeze a few drops over your eyes at least once a day and you're set. And you'll still have to change them every two weeks."
"Brilliant. I've been having trouble with my glasses during lessons. I'll be relieved to get rid of them. Though do you think it's possible for them to replace my glasses with clear lenses?"
"You want to keep up the appearance of needing glasses? That's very sly of you, cub."
"Like you guys have been constantly telling me, it's always an advantage to be underestimated." Harry said dryly.
"Well, I'm glad to see that you're listening to some of the things we tell you," Remus said, smiling.
"Alright, we'll go after we clean this up. Let's have a nice day of going around the Alley too. I think we all need a break from all this subterfuge." Sirius said tiredly.
"Too true, my friend."
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Harry had a blast. Before flooing to the Leaky Cauldron, the two marauders charmed him to look ten years older with wavy, dark blond hair and hazel eyes. The glamours worked perfectly and he received no more attention than a cursory glance when people noticed that he was with Sirius Black. After buying his contacts, they went and admired the newest Quidditch equipment and had a lively debate on the chances of their favorite English teams. They were coming back from having ice cream at Fortescue's when Sirius saw the joke shop and dragged the other two inside where he disappeared for a good number of minutes before reappearing with the most innocent look at his face. Harry could see the pranks being planned in his head and pretended to look nervous. Ron had given him a package the twins had sent filled with some products that they had been developing and he had been eager to see how they worked. It looks like I'm going to get the chance to test them after all, Harry thought evilly.
They entered the kitchen and Harry's eyes automatically scanned the room for Hermione while Remus was removing his glamour charms.
"I thought they'd be here by now," he muttered, looking around.
"Missing someone, pup?" He definitely didn't like his uncle's smile.
Harry was about to reply when they heard twinkling and decidedly feminine laughter coming from the living room. He just glared at his godfather and strode towards the room, shoving his clear glasses in the pocket of his jumper. He couldn't wait to see Hermione's reaction.
He paused when he got to the room. Tonks had disposed of the electrical lights and had opted for a nice, cheery fire. It had been a bit surprisingly chilly that afternoon. But beside her on the couch, half turned away from him was an unknown young witch who had lustrous, brown hair with golden highlights. From his point of view, he could see the amazing, feminine curves hugged by the thin, pale yellow sundress she was wearing. His eyes followed the length of her legs starting at where the above the knee skirt exposed her skin ending at the cute low-heeled sandals on her feet. His brow furrowed a little as he took note of the glass of red wine held by the dainty hand of the vaguely familiar witch.
"Hey, Tonks, where's… " Tonks' unknown friend had turned at the sound of his voice and Harry's jaw hit the floor. "Hermione?!"
His best friend gave him a dazzling smile. Harry couldn't take his eyes off her face. She had done something to her hair. Soft, layered tendrils of light, golden brown hair now framed her suddenly noticeable cheekbones and delicate jaw.
"I see you had a very successful day," Sirius addressed Tonks, who was trying really hard not to laugh at Harry's face. "You look very beautiful, Hermione." The young witch blushed but was still looking a little uneasily at Harry, who hadn't uttered a word.
"You got contacts! I like it, Harry. Now everyone can see your nice eyes better," She tentatively offered her friend.
Remus ushered the lad into an armchair, the sudden movement seemed to have joggled his brain back.
"Uh… Yeah… Well… They got it… But you, um, I mean… You are…Er.. You look…"
Hermione took pity on him. She cocked her head a little to the side and let out a soft, faintly amused laugh. "Thank you, Harry."
"Should you be having that?" Remus pointed to the glass of red wine she was holding.
Tonks immediately defended her. "We're celebrating. It's her first, and I told her she can have another glass but that's the limit. Besides, it's just red wine. You guys offer Harry Firewhiskey and he's almost a year younger." She accused the two men.
"As long as it's not often or too much and adults are present." Sirius offered a truce. "You girls had a good time?"
"Oh yes, we did. It was nice to spend an afternoon with a bit of normalcy." Hermione answered.
"Hear, hear. We took after you actually. We came back from Diagon Alley." Remus agreed.
"Did you have a nice time, Harry?" Tonks was still delightedly giggling at the teenager who hadn't taken his eyes off from taking in every aspect of Hermione's appearance.
Harry was wondering when his friend had started developing all those curves (and how she had managed to hide it from him all this time) when Tonks' question forced him out of his concentration. "Huh? Oh yeah. Um, we went to the Quidditch supplies shop and then had some ice cream."
"Anything interesting?" Hermione asked, glad that her friend seemed to be settling down now.
"Nah, everything was blissfully boring."
"I know what you mean."
"You look really great, Hermione." Harry had adequately recovered and had felt settled and brave enough to compliment his friend.
Hermione's cheeks flushed again. "Thanks. So do you. It was Tonks' idea. I have to admit, I am feeling loads better."
The conversation went into safer topics, helped mainly by Remus and Tonks. They were truly having a nice, quiet night relaxing with friends. No one had mentioned the trainings, the coming war, or even the Prophet articles. They discussed everything from who might get the prefect badges to how the Marauders had pulled off a particularly nasty prank involving the Hogwarts bathrooms, Snape's boxers, and Mrs. Norris. Hermione, meanwhile, was still feeling less than relaxed. Harry was watching her like a hawk and his attention was throwing her resolve this morning along with her hormones into a maddening swirl of chaotic emotions.
She put her glass on the table and stood up, determined to have a much needed respite from Harry's perusal. "Would anyone like some snacks? I'm feeling I'd like something to nibble on."
"I'll help." Tonks stood up immediately.
Harry couldn't take his eyes away from how Hermione's legs flexed and flowed into a standing position. Something's changed about her, he thought. It's not just the hair and clothes. But the addled young man couldn't pinpoint what it was and could only watch the witch's gently swaying hips as she walked back to the kitchen with Tonks. He turned to see the two older men in silent laughter.
"I told you it was going to work." Tonks told Hermione smugly once they were in the kitchen and out of earshot.
Hermione set to gather what she'll need for the sandwiches. "What do you mean?"
"Harry couldn't take his eyes off you."
The girl averted her face. "Who told you it was Harry who..."
"I am not daft, girl. I am a fully qualified Auror, you know."
Hermione gave a resigned sigh. "I didn't mean to do this. I just really wanted to feel better than I did this morning."
"Hey, if it's there, it's there. You didn't do anything too drastic. You just got a nice haircut and some color and decided to wear a dress. I mean it's not cut to be even remotely sexy, though the French silk lingerie might have been a tad too much. That usually works on trying to reel in an older, more experienced man. I didn't realize how it might flummox a fourteen year old teenager's hormones into a frenzy."
"I still don't get what you say about two tiny scraps of silk making a difference. I mean, he doesn't even know I'm wearing them," Hermione finally admitted her feelings to her friend by implied assent.
Tonks noted the confession with a wicked grin but declined to comment. She understood that Hermione needed more time to settle in this newfound aspect of her sexuality and at the same time, what she guessed to be a fairly recent discovery of her attraction to the boy in question. "You're overanalyzing everything again. The difference is not what you are wearing but how different you feel wearing the two scraps of silk as you called them. Lingerie like that makes you feel most definitely like a self-assured woman. Unconsciously, you were reacting to how feminine and sexy they make you feel. And it shows in the confident and definitely sensual aura you have now, in the way your carry yourself. I'm not saying everybody should wear them to feel like a woman. But they definitely help when you need that extra jolt of confidence. I'm sure even Remus and Sirius noticed it too but are most probably just amused by it. Have you noticed how Harry couldn't take your eyes off you?"
"Yes. It was a bit unnerving, actually. That's why I decided to get something to eat."
"Hah! That's what I'm saying. You are a pretty, intelligent, confident, and definitely sensual woman. You have very powerful feminine wiles from the effects you just saw on a particular previously oblivious young man. Own it." Tonks gave her a wicked wink.
Hermione just rolled her eyes laughingly. "C'mon, they might think we got lost trying to get food."
They left the kitchen carrying two plates of little sandwiches. Harry got up when they entered and took the plate Hermione was carrying, somehow discreetly able to maneuver to touch her hands. She blushed at the electricity that shot through her body at the touch and took her seat again, picking up her wineglass. They went back to their relaxed conversation when Sirius gave a squeak and turned into a small, yellow bird. Everyone suddenly fell silent and then burst out in loud laughs when Sirius changed back in a burst of yellow feathers. He looked perplexed for a moment before succumbing to guffaws himself.
"Now which one of you was responsible?" He was looking at each one in front of him. Remus, Tonks, and Hermione were shaking their heads, still unable to say anything from laughing. He turned to the Harry, who had tears from streaming down his eyes and clutching his sides desperately.
"Aha, you little scamp! You have no idea what you have just started!"
"You …have to admit…. it was… brilliant!" Harry said, sputtering.
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Sirius was getting frustrated at his young trainees. Oh, it wasn't with how the lessons were going. They have actually been nothing less than phenomenal, he thought as he watched them spar. They were stronger and their stamina almost matched his now, though still aided a little by the potions he was giving them. They absorbed his instructions like a sponge. And Harry was showing the potential of being an amazing fighter with Hermione running a close second.
"Hermione, you should have blocked that with your shin! Begin again." He shouted.
The young woman shot him a dark look first before moving in the requisite bowing position of each kickboxing sparring. Sirius smiled. The witch was definitely worming her way into his heart, right next to Harry. He's been watching the two closely and their stolen glances and touches and he was just about a hair's breadth from shaking the two into realizing that they like each other. He gave a frustrated sigh. He really shouldn't meddle, he can understand how they can be so unsure of their feelings. Maybe it's time I give them a little push, he thought wickedly. And he did owe Harry a prank from the other night.
"Oi, that's enough for now. Do your stretches and you're free for the night."
The two beamed at him. "Alright, you two. Just go to the kitchen after you're finished." He cancelled their safety charms and then left them alone.
Harry watched Hermione as they packed up their gear. He found himself enchanted by everything she did the past few days. He knew it was making her slightly uncomfortable but it was like he couldn't help himself. He was just mesmerized by how she was changing right before his eyes. He couldn't say exactly how but she just looked more relaxed. Given the physical training they were getting, he thought it odd that he found her just a bit softer somehow.
"Would you mind if I took a shower first?" She asked.
He shook his head. "Not at all. You go ahead. I'll finish up here."
She gave him a smile and tucked a loose tendril that had escaped from her ponytail. "Thanks."
His eyes followed every movement she made as she turned to leave the room. When she reached the door, Harry called out. "Would you like to catch a movie after dinner?"
"Sure, that will be nice."
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Dinner was a relaxed affair and now the two teenagers were sitting comfortably in the den side by side. They chose to watch "My Best Friend's Wedding" after Hermione pointed out that Harry had picked the movie the last time.
Unconsciously, both had seemed to be trying harder to make everything appear the same as always. They refused to acknowledge that an underlying tension had somehow seeped under the confines of their previously entirely platonic relationship. They've been watching each other incessantly under hooded glances. Neither was ready to admit that their perception of the other has changed in the slightest.
They were near the end of the film when Harry thought he heard a sniff. He looked down at Hermione who was cradled in the nook of his arm, catching her as she tried to discreetly swipe a tear. He wasn't able to suppress his chuckle fast enough and she gave him a glare daring him to make the leap from amusement to full-blown laughter.
"What?"
Harry, being the teenager that he is, finally gave in and guffawed. "Nothing"
"What is so funny? Do you think that what happened with them was funny? That was so sad."
"No, it wasn't the story. It's just…" He couldn't continue as he was still laughing, albeit a little softer at the indignant tone she had.
"Just what?" She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
"You're such a girl!" And he finally let loose the laughter that was bubbling in his chest.
"I am a girl, you daft git!" She moved to smack his arm. Harry moved to avoid her arm and one thing led to another and they were suddenly in a mock wrestling match with Hermione trying to smack him and Harry retaliating by tickling his friend.
Outbursts of laughter and giggles were heard as they played their game. Finally, Hermione had enough.
"I give!" She said breathlessly, lying on her back on the floor. She put her hands up in mock surrender.
"Aha, I win! Who's the loser now, huh?" Harry was grinning, lying on top of her, his legs pinning hers, his hands still at her waist from tickling her.
The precariousness of their position slammed into their consciousness at the abrupt stop. Harry had his face inches from Hermione's. Her breath hitched as her eyes darted from his eyes to his lips. She felt his eyes doing the same.
Harry felt her soft, pliable body under him. A sudden rush of an unfamiliar desire to move enveloped his senses. His hands tightened with control as he itched to roam them over every single, luscious crevice that he had been obsessing about for days.
Hermione's hands moved to his chest. She closed her eyes as she made contact with the tense muscles of his chest and her fists balled, clutching his shirt. She made a swift movement with her legs and their positions were reversed.
Harry's eyes fell shut also and he released an almost inaudible groan when he felt her hips move under him. He opened them again and he forgot to breathe when he saw Hermione's face literally an inch in front of his, her breath weaving magic on his lips. He can see her eyes clouded with indistinguishable emotion. "You can't win if your opponent only let you think you did."
And with a flourish, she was off onto her feet and out of the room.
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Given what had almost happened in the den, one would think that the two would have done everything they could to avoid each other. Interestingly enough, they did just the opposite and seemed to have stubbornly challenged themselves to the illusion that they can and will remain platonic friends despite the attraction they felt. They talked more. They studied together. They trained more fervently. They threw themselves at being friends with an almost manic obsessive focus. Denial, apparently, is not a river in Egypt. It is a freaking un-crossable and definitely exasperating ocean.
And so, with this in mind, a certain marauder devised a prank that he thought might finally make them face reality. As with any idea hatched with the greatest of intentions, he was, of course, gravely mistaken.
Their aikido lesson was nearing the end. Focused on their sparring, Harry and Hermione didn't notice the extraordinary attention Sirius was giving each movement. When Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder in a move to throw a knee at his abdomen, he turned and let his weight fall on her, pinning her hand on the floor and at the same time deflect any blow to his head.
Unexpectedly, both of them emitted a bluish glow that was gone in a flash. Shaken from the concentration they had in training, they tried to get up. The key word being - tried. They suddenly found their hands stuck where they were touching the other. Finding themselves in another disturbingly suggestive position, but this time faced with no means of escape, they predictably panicked.
"What the?" Harry was trying to unglue his right hand from her left, shaking it in any way imaginable.
"Ouch, Harry, that hurts! What did you do?!" She accused him, equally desperate in yanking her right hand from his left shoulder while trying to wiggle her waist away from where his left was holding her.
"What did I do?! What did you do?! How can this be my fault?" His rose an octave as the reality of their situation sunk in.
"All I did was touch you!" She screeched back.
It was at this point that they noticed laughter coming from their improvised "sensei".
Harry's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. "Sirius!" His bellow echoed around the room. Somehow, they both managed to get up even with their appendages glued to each other. They shuffled as menacingly as they could towards the laughing man.
"What the hell did you do?!" Hermione gave the perpetrator her best death glare.
Harry was momentarily taken aback from his anger on hearing Hermione swear. She never swore. But the guffaws that were coming from the marauder had his head snapping back at the problem um, on hand.
"I… told… you… I'll get you… back!"
That had Hermione refocusing her anger at Harry. "This is a freaking prank?!"
He gulped. He can see no possible way he'll get out of this with his limbs intact especially when Hermione had been kicking his arse in practice as he spent most of the time watching her. He tried a different tack. "Ok, Hermione, let's calm down…" He said in what he hoped to be a soothing voice but he could hear the tremble of fear laced within.
"What do you mean calm down? In case you haven't noticed we're stuck! For god knows how long. And this is in no way my fault, especially since I was in no conceivable way involved with your juvenile pranks!" She was definitely seething.
"Well, it certainly wasn't my idea to be stuck with you either! How can this be entirely my fault? I didn't think of this! Do you think this makes me happy in any way?" Harry swallowed the pleasurable tingles he always got from touching Hermione in the face of the accusations she was throwing blindly at him.
"Guys, guys, it was just a harmless prank. Calm down. It's not permanent." Sirius had stopped laughing at the full-blown row that was the furthest from his goals.
"You! I can't believe you! So what if it's not permanent?! You had no right to involve me in these senseless pursuits of yours. I mean, grow up! If you wanted to humiliate yourselves being five year olds, fine! But you had absolutely no right to do this to me!" Hermione was almost in tears. From the frustration of the past few days or the prank they pulled, she had no idea.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I wasn't thinking, you were right." Sirius was genuinely contrite for his actions.
Hermione took a deep steadying breath. Harry, of course, felt her breasts press more firmly in his chest which had him close his eyes and imagined the nastiest, ugliest bloke he knew in a neon yellow tutu so as to stop certain…reactions.
"Ok, fine. Now, you know how senseless it was. Please do the counter-spell now!" Her voice was calmer but was in no way less forceful.
Sirius looked positively chagrined. "Counter spell? Uh… well…"
If it was possible for Hermione to look more murderous, Harry couldn't imagine it. "You do know the counter spell do you Sirius?" He asked his godfather in an even tone, hiding his irritation and panic.
"Um, see, I'm really sorry, you guys. Um, I'm afraid I didn't get that far in thinking this through." Sirius was carefully inching his way to the door.
"Sirius, how could you!" Harry exclaimed, not bothering to hide his panic now.
The man was definitely running toward the door now. "I'm sorry! It only lasts for six hours anyway. I'm going to the library right now!"
"But what if we…What if we have to go to the bathroom, you nitwit!" Hermione sputtered after him but he was gone.
Harry was looking glum. If he's forced to spend six hours glued to Hermione like this, he was definitely going to lose his mind. Not to mention the beating he's probably going to receive from the young woman if she had an iota of the thoughts that were now swirling in his previously innocent mind. He tried desperately to push them away. "Um, Hermione, you don't need to um… go to the bathroom right?"
She looked at him and sighed deeply, summoning every reserve of control in her body. "No, Harry, I don't."
*************************************
Harry and Hermione tried to make the best of the situation they now found themselves stuck in.
From the Dueling Room, they managed to move to the kitchen where Tonks was trying very hard not to laugh every five seconds while preparing dinner. Remus and Sirius were in the library looking for the counter spell.
"It's really not that funny, Tonks." Hermione tiredly tried to admonish her friend.
"Ow, c'mon Hermione, you have to admit it was still brilliant. And he really must have good eyes to time it just right."
Hermione gave another deep sigh. Harry, still attempting to lay low and be as still as possible, fidgeted at her side. Her mouth quirked up. Finally, she did laugh.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he will live long enough to his fifteenth birthday after all, he thought as he joined in the laughter.
"Fine, it was funny. But he really should have had the counter spell ready. I'm famished!"
Harry groaned as the thought and scent of food made his stomach rumble. "So am I. God, I'm going to kill him for this."
"Not before me, you won't. And don't forget for one second I've forgotten how liable you are in this."
Before Harry had time to process what she said, Sirius and Remus came in brandishing a parchment like a pair of conquering heroes.
"We found it!"
"About time!"
"Hey, it wasn't easy going through three books at once. And I've already apologized. I really am sorry, Hermione. I promise I will never involve you like this again." Sirius sat in front of them.
"Just please do it so I can use my hands again."
Sirius pointed his wand at them. "Manus Extrico Incantatem"
In another flash, their hands were free. "Oh thank god." Harry said emphatically.
"Was it really that bad being stuck to me?" Hermione asked him with a bland expression on her face.
Harry turned beet red. "What? No! It was just…um. You see... Well, you were…"
Hermione laughed and stood up to join Tonks at the table, leaving a confused Harry to wonder what she had meant.
*****************************
They were all in the living room, now laughing at the prank Sirius pulled. Harry, Hermione, and Tonks were nursing a butterbeer each while the two older men opted for a glass of Firewhiskey each.
"See, it wasn't that bad." Sirius chided Hermione.
"That doesn't make it right either. And you were still wrong including me on this."
"Your faces were still hilarious though. I should've taken a picture of you when you came in the kitchen stuck like that. I was about to ask you to get a room." Tonks said.
Everybody laughed. Harry was enjoying having full use of his hands but he secretly missed the feel of Hermione's skin. He kept glancing at his friend, trying to gauge how bad it really was she felt being stuck with him. "You should've known better, Uncle Sirius."
"I know, I know! I'm wrong ok? I'll think of a better one next time." He said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Hah! Let's see if you can come up with something better than I can." Harry said with a distinct note of pride.
"Oh no you don't!" He didn't notice how Hermione had slid right next to him.
"I won't?" He said confused all at once at her nearness.
"You mean after you've managed to involve me in this you're still planning on continuing this drivel?" She said.
"But he said he won't now." He countered, further burying himself in unknowingly.
"Harry James Potter!"
That irked his temper. "What now, Hermione? Are you going to tell me to go upstairs to my room?"
Hermione's eyes narrowed at him. "And have you forgotten how you haven't apologized to me yet?"
"You weren't the only one who was stuck." Harry said stubbornly.
"And I wasn't supposed to be in the first place!"
"Oh, lighten up, Hermione."
That had Hermione's temper flaring. Harry thought he might have gone too far and was about to apologize when her eyes suddenly gleamed with an unholy glint. He gulped. He knew Hermione had an evil streak in her. He had, in fact, been the stimulus of it with all the rule-breaking and adventures he had dragged her along with him.
"Hermione?" He tentatively said, fear creeping in his heart as her face neared his.
The three adults watched the whole exchange with amusement and knowing glances.
Harry couldn't concentrate on breathing again. He saw Hermione's face come nearer. His eyes darted to her full, reddish lips. Half an inch away from touching his, she paused. "Harry," she said ever so softly.
Harry's eyes were concentrated on trying to will her lips closer, audience be damned. He gave a strangled reply, "Yes?"
"Do you like pranks?" She was still whispering.
This question should have confused him but he wasn't exactly paying attention to what she was saying. "Yes."
She abruptly turned her face and moved her lips closer to his ear. "You've been warned, Potter." She stood up and looked down at his confused expression. "You like pranks? I'll show you how it's supposed to be done." She left the room.
The other three guffawed at the terrorized expression on Harry's face when he finally understood what she said.
"Oh God, I'm dead!" He turned to Sirius. "You have to help me! This is all your fault!"
"And how is this to be blamed on me again? You really should have just apologized, pup."
"But I…"
"Too true, Harry. She really was just embarrassed by the whole thing. A simple apology would have done wonders." Tonks scolded him but was still giggling, losing the severity of her advice.
"Wait a minute! I wasn't the one who bloody thought it was funny to embarrass her!"
"Sadly, that is not the way the female mind works." Remus said.
"Hey, I resent that!" Tonks smacked his arm.
"So what do I do? I mean, I know Hermione. I can't compete with her when she's like this. She's bloody brilliant! I mean, without her, I couldn't have figured out the chamber, and the basilisk, and Fluffy, and the polyjuice. And I can't really do anything to her, I can't…not now. This really isn't fair. What did I get myself into now?" Harry was now pacing back and forth.
"She made a polyjuice potion at twelve?" Remus was awed.
"How did you think we were able to interrogate Malfoy as his stupid goons?"
"Wow, you are in deep trouble, pup"
"Not helping!" He glared at his godfather.
The two marauders looked at each other. "Fine, this is as much my fault. I'll help you."
Tonks suddenly stood up. "Well, I have to even the odds, don't I?" She left the room.
Remus followed her with his eyes, an unreadable emotion on his face. "Now we really are in trouble." He told the other two men with a deep, regretful sigh.
******************