A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to get a new chapter out to you guys. I went out of town for Thanksgiving and I haven't had much time to write. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please remember to leave me a review. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed my story so far. You guys are awesome!
Chapter Four:
"Well, that went brilliantly," Harry sighed heavily.
"Poor Luna. Ron was such a prat. I can't believe him!" she seethed.
"He didn't mean anything he said. He's just angry right now."
"Don't defend him, Harry. We haven't done anything wrong and what he said about Luna . . . " her voice trailed off.
Harry rubbed his face tiredly, "I know. I just wish he would just try to understand." Hermione wrapped her arms around him from behind and lay her head on his back. "I just don't want to lose my friend."
"We haven't lost him. Besides you'll always have me."
Harry smiled as he turned to face her. He cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her lips. Her arms that were still around his waist instinctively pulled him closer. She sighed against his lips as their kisses began to deepen. Harry's heart began to race in his chest when he felt her press against his groin. He knew what she wanted and he was more than willing to give it to her. His hands slid down her waist and up underneath her skirt, lifting her up to straddle his waist. Harry pressed her up against the wall, never once breaking their kiss. Hermione's hands pulled eagerly at the button of his jeans. She smiled against his lips as her small hands found what they had been looking for. He moaned softly as her hands stroked him. Harry knew if she continued her sweet torture that he wouldn't be able to last long. He broke their kiss only long enough to remove her knickers. He quickly lifted her up as he slid inside her warmth. They gasped at the amazing feeling of being joined once more. Hermione began to move her hips as Harry dove in and out of her, making her whimper with pleasure at each stroke. Faster and faster they moved, both reaching for their blissful release. Hermione felt hers approaching fast. Her legs locked around his waist as her nails dug into his back. Sensing her orgasm Harry pressed his lips to hers silencing her screams. Her release hit her hard, sending her spiraling into ecstasy. Harry immediately followed, spilling inside her depths. He held her, not moving as they tried to catch their breath. He slowly released her and let her trembling legs slide to the floor. They leaned on each other for support, neither able to stand on their own.
He smiled down at her, "You're absolutely amazing." He kissed her temple as she blushed, returning his smile.
"You're not too bad yourself Mr. Potter," she managed to mutter before Harry kissed her once more. Slowly they drifted apart and began to set their clothes right once more. Hand in hand they started toward the common room.
"So . . . I guess since we've told Ron we don't have to keep our relationship secret?" Hermione asked as they began to climb the staircase.
"I don't know about you, but I'm tired of hiding how I feel about you." He stopped on the stairs and pulled her to his chest. "I want everyone to know how bloody lucky I am that the smartest, most beautiful witch in England loves me." She found herself blushing once more at Harry's compliment. She wasn't used to receiving such praises, but she had to admit she loved hearing them coming from Harry. Hermione felt as though she would melt right then and there. Unable to control herself, she kissed him long and hard. Harry's arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her body flush against his. She felt his body respond to hers again, causing her to smile against his lips. She loved knowing what she could do to him.
"Blimey!" they heard a voice a few steps below them. They broke apart and looked down to see Neville staring up at them with a smirk. "It's about bloody time." They continued to stare down at him, their expressions a mixture of confusion and surprise.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Everyone's noticed the way you two look at each other. We've all known you were mad for each other, but we just didn't know if either of you would ever act on it." Harry's face fell. "What's wrong, Harry?"
"Not everyone. Apparently Ron had no clue."
Neville rolled his eyes, "Ron usually has no clue about anything, Harry. Why should you be surprised? I guess he didn't take well to the news when you told him."
"That's an understatement," Hermione mumbled.
"Don't worry about him. He'll come around given time. I for one am happy you two finally got together. You deserve to be happy," he smiled as he passed them on the stairs. He stopped a couple of stairs above them, and turned around with a grin, "And don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
"Secret?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. I won't tell anyone what I saw that night on the Quidditch field," he winked as he turned to go back up the stairs leaving Harry and Hermione looking up at him in shock.
"Oh-my-God . . . " she squeaked, unable to say anything else. Harry felt his cheeks burning with embarrassment. When he turned to Hermione, he expected the same red cheeks on her face, but her face was ghostly white. He couldn't help the chuckle that bubbled up inside him.
"Are you okay?"
"No," she whispered. She finally looked up at him, her expression going from shock to anger in a second. "Why are you laughing? Do you really think this is funny?"
"Of course not," he fought to look serious, but the grin he was trying to hold back just refused to hide. He laughed softly pulling her to him again, "Come on Hermione. It's just Neville. I really don't think he'll go telling anyone what he saw."
"But just what did he see?" her voice was panicked. Harry ran his hands though her hair trying to soothe her.
"I doubt he saw more than us kissing, and possibly us putting our clothes right." She groaned, resting her head on Harry's chest. "Neville isn't a peeping tom, Hermione. I'm sure he didn't see anything . . . intimate."
"I hope not," she mumbled against his chest.
"Hey," he gently lifted her chin for her to look him in the eye. "Is something else wrong?"
Hermione looked down for a moment before raising her gaze to meet his again, "I'm scared Harry."
"Scared? Of what?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "Loads of things really, but mostly I'm scared that this will all end up being some sort of dream and I won't have you anymore."
"I promise you I'm not going anywhere. We're going to be happy together, Hermione. I swear." She felt tears welling in her eyes, her heart swelling with love for the man standing before her. She took a deep breath and gave him a brave smile, nodding her head in agreement. He kissed her softly before they turned to continue on the stairs back to the common room. When they entered, everyone inside turned to watch them with grins on their face. Everyone except Ron. He glared at them, shooting daggers with his eyes. Hermione moved closer to Harry, wrapping her hand around his arm at her side. They tore their gaze from Ron as they began to get bombarded with congratulations and hugs from their fellow Gryffindor's.
"Isn't it grand?" Neville smiled as he sat down beside Ron who grunted angrily.
"If you call getting stabbed in the back by your two best mates grand, then I guess."
"Stabbed in the back? Are you mental?"
Ron turned his cold stare to Neville, "It's true. Harry knew how I felt about her."
"Did you ever act on your supposed feelings for Hermione?"
"Supposed? You don't believe that I truly loved her?"
"Sure I believe you loved her . . . as a friend, not anything more."
"Now who's being mental?"
"You two fancied each other years ago, but neither of you ever admitted it or acted upon it. Hermione realized it was just a schoolgirl crush and moved on. She fell in love with Harry and her heart has always belonged to him. She never admitted it because she didn't think Harry felt the same way about her, especially when he was with Cho last year. It was breaking her heart to see them together. Anyone who looked at her could see it. You were just too blind to see it. Now I believe you held onto those old feelings for Hermione because you were too afraid of growing up and moving on. No matter how much you deny it, you really like Luna, more than you ever fancied Hermione. You're just being a stubborn git and you're punishing your two best friends for finding the happiness you really want but are too afraid to go after." Ron looked up at his friend as if he had grown two heads. Since when did Neville become the romance guru? He looked back over at his two best friends, wondering if it was possible Neville was right. There was nothing Ron hated more than admitting he was wrong about something. He sighed heavily and stood.
"I'm going to bed," he muttered as he turned to leave.
"Just think about what I've said, Ron." He nodded as he climbed the stairs to the boy's dorms. Harry watched him go with a heavy heart. He didn't want to lose Ron, but he knew if he was forced to choose he would choose Hermione. Harry smiled down at her kissing her head before returning to the conversation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Over the next couple of days, the nature of Harry and Hermione's relationship was all over Hogwarts. For the most part, everyone was very happy for them. There were of course some girls who glared at Hermione for getting the most sought after guy at Hogwarts, but most were supportive of their relationship. Luna had even come up and congratulated them. Whenever Hermione tried to say something to her about Ron, she made up an excuse and quickly walked away. It broke her heart to know how much she was hurting. Ron of course had not spoken to them since their argument in the Room of Requirement. Every time they tried to catch his eye, he would turn in the opposite direction. Much to Hermione's surprise, Harry hadn't even tried to talk to Ron since that night. When she asked him about it, he just said he was giving him some space and time to think about things.
The NEWTs unfortunately were here whether they were prepared for them or not. Harry took this test seriously, more serious than any other test he'd ever taken. Hermione stole a glance in his direction and saw the determined set of his jaw and the concentration on his face, her heart swelling with pride for him. She could tell he was really trying to do his best on this test. A few hours later, McGonagall signaled the for everyone to drop their quills.
"Alright students, that completes your final NEWTs. Congratulations, at the completion of your final year at Hogwarts," she smiled at the room full of students who stood from their seats and cheered loudly. Hermione flung herself into Harry's arms and he spun her around and around, causing her to laugh. McGonagall stood there and let them celebrate a while longer before she spoke again. "I want you all to enjoy your final days here at Hogwarts," she paused for a moment, her eyes welling with tears as she looked at them. Her eyes focused on Harry as she continued, "I just want you to know how very proud I am of all of you for what you've accomplished here and you will be truly missed." He gave her his famous grin, bringing a seldom seen smile to McGonagall's face. No one noticed Professor Sprout enter the room. She rushed up to Professor McGonagall and whispered excitedly in her ear. McGonagall's smile immediately vanished as she addressed them once more. "That will be all. You're dismissed," she spared one more glance at Harry before hurrying out of the room with Professor Sprout on her heels.
"I wonder what that was about," Harry wondered. She shrugged, turning to him with a smile.
"I don't really care. I'm just glad the NEWTs are over."
"Me too. I think I really did well, and I know I owe it all to you."
"Me?" she laughed softly. "I didn't do anything Harry. It was all you."
"No, it wasn't. You helped me tremendously. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you." She smiled and lay her head on his chest, breathing in his scent deeply. She loved the way he always smelled of the outdoors all fresh and woodsy. Everyone slowly began to file out of the room.
"Hermione, do you think your parents would let you spend the summer with me?" She smiled up at him.
"But where would we stay?"
"Well, Sirius left me Grimmauld Place," he said, and Hermione saw a flicker of sadness cross his features before he smiled up at her. "We could have a grand time fixing the place up and . . . " he grinned devilishly at her, "christening every room." Hermione's heart began to race in anticipation at the thought of spending the summer alone with Harry with no interruptions. How could she possibly resist such an invitation?
"I'm sure they wouldn't mind. I will of course have to spend a few days with them first, but I could meet you there." He hugged her tightly.
"We're going to have an amazing summer." They finally made it outside when Professor Sprout approached them, her expression serious.
"Harry, Professor McGonagall needs to speak with you immediately."
"What have I done this time?" he groaned.
"Now Mr. Potter," she said sternly, causing Harry's heart to fill with dread. He gave Hermione a comforting smile before following Professor Sprout back into the castle. Hermione felt her heart jump into her throat as fear gripped her. She closed her eyes tightly, willing her fear to subside, but it just wouldn't go away.
"Please, please let everything be okay," she whispered softly as she watched him disappear into the castle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Butterflies invaded his stomach as they approached the door that led into McGonagall's office. For the life of him, he just couldn't understand what he could have done to require him to see McGonagall. He'd been behaving well since the war, not sneaking around, or getting into trouble. When they entered her office, Harry's heart dropped at the pained expression on McGonagall's face.
"Potter, please sit down," she said, gesturing toward the chair in front of her desk. When he sat down, he noticed Alastor Moody standing in the shadows. Harry tried to smile at him, but it looked more like a grimace.
"Um, Professor, have I done something wrong?"
"Not this time Potter. I'm afraid Alastor has brought some unpleasant news," she turned to Moody, gesturing for him to address Harry.
"Hello Harry," he began, obviously not wanting to say what he came to say. "It's my unfortunate duty to report that we've heard rumors that Bellatrix is still alive and she's plotting revenge on you and everyone around you that you care about." Harry felt as though all the wind had been knocked out of him. He stared up at Moody, his face blank. "We all thought them to be rumors of course, but my team has been working day and night to try to verify the information we've received. I myself have seen her, Harry. She's not dead as we believed. The ministry has sent me here to collect you and put you in protective custody until she's apprehended."
"You said she was going to go after the ones I love. How can I leave them behind, knowing what could happen to them?" He shook his head fervently, "I won't leave Hermione alone."
"Bellatrix is after you. If you are with Hermione she will be in more danger than if you are apart from her," McGonagall spoke softly. Her soft tone made Harry look up at her. He could see how much she cared about him as she looked down at him, "Harry, you must listen to reason." She never called him Harry. He had always been simply Potter. Her using his first name made Harry really listen to what she was saying. She was right. He felt his heart breaking into a million pieces. How could he walk away from her? A lone tear streaked down his face. McGonagall turned away quickly, not wanting anyone to see the effect Harry's tears had on her.
"How long?"
"What?" Moody asked.
"How long do I have to say goodbye?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"We have to leave soon. I can give you one night, Harry. I'm sorry. I know that's not much time, but we can't risk her finding you." Harry nodded, slowly standing. He felt numb all over.
"Thank you," was all he said as he turned to leave.
"Harry," Moody called out to him. Harry turned and looked up at him, "I truly am sorry." Harry didn't say anything. He simply walked out of the room.
Once he was gone, McGonagall turned to Moody, her face wet with tears. She wiped at them angrily.
"This is not fair! After everything he's been through. When it is ever going to be enough?" she cried out. Moody looked down at the floor for a moment, then raised his face to hers.
"I will find and destroy Bellatrix if it's the last thing I do, Minerva. Harry will have a chance at a normal life if I have to die to give it to him."
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