Chapter 7
A/N: Well here you go, the DATE :) The next chapter will be up after Ryoko comes back from vacation, after Jan 7th… it'll take both of us to write that one heehee.
Thanks to all those who reviewed, here are some responses:
Coolone007: You think Hermione would talk about the bet to Harry? Read on!
Moira McDuff: Yup, and they REALLY kiss some more in this chapter :D yay for snogs!!!
NiaSphinx: Thanks :D
Lil: Bet stuff coming up! AHHH!!
Bunnie: Glad we can make your H/Hr day :)
Shiko: Hehehehehee. That's all I'll say about the 'dare/bet'
LeBoshi: This is MUCH BETTER than that OTHER story! LOL
PotterFanFiction: We don't put that much space between our paragraphs. When we save the file in word as an html, it does it automatically.
SVZ: Blaise and Ron is fun isn't it ;) Something new for a change!
Zodyaz: I LOVE hearing people say aye! Both H/Hr say it in this story, it's just such a fun little word!
K8ylady: Well…don't want to talk about how far they go, not quite yet ;) But we're trying to stay as true to their characters as possible!
Dani_Cx: I don't think it's fair to say Harry wouldn't say Aye. Scottish and English people say it a lot, at least the people I know do.
Seiki: We can't do NC 17 on fanfiction.net, but at our groups and on portkey.org, things will be full blown there hehehehe
Nina: Glad we could service you with good H/Hr and we will try to throw in some more Draco for you. Story is winding down, but we'll try!!
Danielle Malfoy: Harry and Draco are friends in this, best friends in fact. And no more Ginny, well, she might make a cameo in a later chapter, we'll have to see :p
And now, ON with the chapter! YAY!
Hermione touched a bit of gloss to her lips and grinned, she hoped it would wear off within the first hour of her evening with Harry.
"I SWEAR I have the perfect skirt in here somewhere!" Blaise was throwing things from her closet in search of a knee length navy blue skirt that she deemed perfect for Hermione to wear.
"If you can't find it, don't worry." Hermione replied.
"Nonsense. It's your first date with Harry and you've got to look perfect." Blaise waved her off and continued searching.
Hermione simply rolled her eyes good naturedly, she was in too happy a mood to let anything spoil it or bother her. She turned back to the mirror, messing around with Blaise's many cosmetics. Her friend had wanted to her makeup, but Hermione insisted on doing it herself, and could Blaise possibly pick out something for her to wear? That statement was what had gotten them in this current situation.
"AHA!" Blaise crowed several minutes later. She pulled the skirt from a jumble of clothes. "Do you have a white tank top?"
"I think so." Hermione replied. "Won't that be cold though?"
"Well there's a matching jumper." Blaise reached back and grabbed it. "Go get dressed, and then I'll fix your hair for you."
Hermione took the clothing and went into the bathroom. She took off her day clothes and stepped into Blaise's skirt. "Can you get my tank top for me?"
"Sure." Blaise opened the door a crack and tossed the shirt at her. Hermione pulled it over her head, and then buttoned up the jumper.
"How do I look?" Hermione stepped from the bathroom.
"No." Blaise shook her head. "Herms, don't button that up all the way you're not a nun." She came forward and pulled at the buttons, only leaving the one across her chest done. "Much better."
Hermione didn't argue, only sat down in the chair. Blaise began her usual routine of tugging through her long tresses. "Want me to straighten it for you tonight?"
"What if he doesn't like it that way?" Hermione asked. "I mean, last time…"
"It'll be easier for him to run his fingers through." Blaise said slyly.
"Blaise!"
"What?" Blaise looked innocent. "It's true!"
"All right." Hermione relented; she supposed Blaise had a point. Blaise repeated the same steps she had the night she gave Hermione the makeover. Within a few minutes, her hair was a mass of loose waves, flowing down her back.
"Leave it down." Blaise advised. "It looks really good with the waves."
"Okay." Hermione glanced at her watch. "It's almost eight!" she cried, jumping up from the chair like it was on fire.
"Relax." Blaise placed both her hands on Hermione's shoulders.
"I'm nervous." Hermione said, trying to steady her breathing.
"Herms, you've already snogged; you don't have to worry about that!" Blaise said. "You know how he feels about you, you know that you're going to have fun, and you know you're going to get kissed senseless at the end of the night."
"I know." Hermione bit her lower lip and turned away. "But… I'm just scared, and excited…"
"You're going to have the best time ever tonight." Blaise said firmly. "Now get out!"
Hermione grabbed her cloak (the nights were still rather cool) and settled it neatly on her shoulders. "Wish me luck." She said.
"You don't need it." Blaise replied. "But good luck, have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Well that's nothing, because you do everything!" Hermione responded dryly, and then ducked out of the room with a giggle when Blaise threw a hairbrush at her.
She stepped out the door to her common room, expecting to see Harry but there was no one there yet. Hermione leaned against the wall, nervously running her hand through her long hair. 'He's not coming… he's forgotten it was eight… did he say my common room or his…' she was so absorbed in her thoughts she didn't notice someone approaching her.
"Are you Hermione?"
She recognized Alyssa, the 5th year Gryffindor Quidditch announcer. "Yes…" Hermione tried to keep her voice from trembling. Had Harry sent this girl to cancel with her?
"This is from Harry." Alyssa thrust a note at her, blushing a bit. He was quite charming, it hadn't taken him long to convince her to be a messenger.
"Oh… thank you." Hermione managed a smile as Alyssa skipped away. She unfolded the parchment with trembling fingers.
You'll see me from the common room
Under the stars, beneath the moon
It's not that far--come outside
Perhaps you'd like another ride?
A large grin blossomed over her face as she read. "Definitely the locker rooms." She said to herself, rushing down the hallway, her fears staying behind. Practically flying out the castle, she hastened down to the Quidditch pitch.
"Harry?" she called out quietly. There was no answer, no sound, not even a shuffling of feet. "Harry are you here?"
Harry grinned as he noiselessly sneaked up behind her. Placing his hands over her shoulders, he clamped down on her, making her scream.
"Harry!" she gasped, clutching at him. "Why did you do that you scared the hell out of me!"
"Sorry." He was grinning impishly, making it impossible for Hermione to be angry at him. "I didn't mean to."
"Sure you didn't." she relaxed and smiled back. "So what's with the note?"
"I wanted to surprise you." Harry said. He held up a long piece of cloth in his hand. "Blindfold!"
"Err…" Hermione couldn't manage the words on her tongue as he slipped behind her and tied it on. "Okay."
Harry came back around and took her hand firmly in his, lacing their fingers together. Leaning in, he gave in to temptation and kissed her gently, leaving his lips on hers longer than he had planned. They were so soft and she tasted like strawberries.
"You didn't eat a lot at dinner did you?" Harry murmured in her ear as he guided her outside and over to his broom.
"No, you told me not to." Hermione replied. "Why, where are you taking me?"
"You'll see." Harry settled her on and then got behind her. "It's a surprise." They rose up in the air, with Harry holding onto Hermione's waist tightly. He turned them towards the mountains surrounding Hogwarts.
Hermione felt her breath quicken as Harry started to descend. She was so curious to know where he was taking her that she almost stumbled as he helped her off the broom.
"Ready to find out where we are?" he asked teasingly, moving his hands up to untie the blindfold.
"Yes!" she exclaimed, fighting a giggle. He gently pulled it off and Hermione gasped.
They were in a small clearing, completely surrounded by trees. A burgundy coloured blanket was spread in the middle, with at least a dozen candles floating around it. On the blanket rested two goblets, a bottle off to the side, and two gold plates.
"Do you like it?" Harry asked, a bit nervously. He hoped she wouldn't think he had gone overboard.
"You did this all for me?" she seemed unable to grasp it. Harry smiled down at her, taking her hand again.
"Well, for me too…" he kidded, trying to put her at ease. It worked, and Hermione started to giggle. "Come on, let's sit down." Harry took her hand and they went over to the blanket.
Hermione nervously sat down, trying to pull her skirt back over her knees. Harry stood over her, his hand still extended. "What?" she asked, confused.
"Your cloak." Harry replied.
"Oh, right." Hermione stood back up and tugged at the strings. Harry reached over and removed it from her shoulders, carefully draping it over his arm on top of his own, setting them down on a boulder. Turning back to her, he took a moment and admired the way she stood, looking around the clearing, the way the clothes she wore hung on her lovely figure just perfectly, how her hair shone in the deep moonlight. Harry stepped behind her, winding his arms around her waist.
"Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?" he asked, his voice low.
Hermione smiled shyly. "Not yet." She answered, turning so that their eyes met. "You look really nice too." Harry was wearing dark trousers, Hermione couldn't tell in the dark whether they were black or dark blue, and a lighter blue jumper.
"Thanks." Harry turned her around so that she was facing him. Their eyes remained firmly affixed to one another's for what felt to Hermione like an hour.
"I like your hair like this." Harry broke the silence and moved his hand up and threaded his fingers through her tresses.
"Oh." Hermione felt self conscious once more. "I wasn't sure if you would… last time I straightened it…"
"I like it either way." Harry broke in, rubbing a lock between his index finger and thumb. "I like you this way."
"What do you mean?" Hermione was confused.
"You. Acting like you." Harry said. "I didn't fall in love with your looks, just you. That day you came into the Great Hall all dressed up…"
"I just want to forget about that." Hermione interrupted. "Besides, we've worked everything out now; I would much rather concentrate on that."
"Right." Harry grinned, pulling her in close. "Me too." Discussion they could save for later, right now there were other things Harry wanted to do.
Hermione smiled back up at him, moving her hands from Harry's back to his chest. "Good." She sighed softly, raising herself up. She needed to feel his mouth against hers.
She got her wish a second later when Harry slightly lowered his head so that their lips brushed. It wasn't good enough for her; she wound her hand around his neck, keeping his mouth against hers. He was pleasantly surprised by this, deepening the kiss immediately. His hands fisted in her hair, bringing her body tightly against him. Harry explored her mouth gently, his knees resisting the urge to crumble as she ran her nails through his hair.
The two would have gone further, except for the sudden and quite loud grumbling that came from Hermione's stomach. They both looked down, Hermione's face turning a deep shade of red while Harry started laughing.
"Hungry?" he teased.
"You told me not to eat a lot at dinner!" Hermione cried in defense. "So I didn't!"
"Aye, I did tell you that didn't I." Harry grinned, trying to reign in his laughter.
"Yes you did!" Hermione pushed against his shoulder. "So stop laughing at me!"
"All right." Harry bit his lower lip, but the corners of his mouth curled up. Hermione didn't see this, however, as they sat down. The two plates were set up side by side, the goblets in front, and the bottle between them.
"Is that champagne?" Hermione asked, slightly impressed and at the same time, a bit scared. She and Blaise, during the previous summer holiday, had discovered a bottle of Muggle champagne in Blaise's parents cabinet. They had stolen it and drank it, and Hermione was quite sure she had never felt as horrible as she had the next morning.
"Well…" Harry picked up the bottle and showed her the label. "It's actually just Knobble's pumpkin juice."
"Oh." Hermione was relieved. Harry poured them both some and held one of the goblets out to her.
"Shall we toast?" he asked, taking his own.
"Sure." Hermione smiled up at him as she raised her glass. "To…"
"How about our first date?" Harry asked.
"One of many." Hermione agreed, clinking her glass against his.
If it was possible, Harry's eyes warmed over even further than they already were. "To the first of many…" he echoed softly as they both took a long sip.
"That's excellent." Hermione said, setting her goblet down. "I've never had such good pumpkin juice before."
"I got it off Neville Longbottom." Harry said. "His Gran sends him some about twice a month, and he usually pawns it off to one of us. Best brand there is."
"It's delicious." Hermione said, taking another sip. She looked down at the two empty plates. "So where's dinner?"
Harry grinned. "It should be appearing any second now."
"Good, I'm starved." Hermione said.
"I couldn't tell." Harry smirked.
Hermione was about to reply when a sudden soft POP was heard and the two plates were suddenly filled with food.
"How did you arrange all this?" she asked as she dug in eagerly.
"I know one of the house elves really well." Harry replied with his mouth full. "I go to the kitchens all the time for extra food."
"That must be nice." Hermione said.
They ate in silence for a few moments, when Harry spoke again. "So what do you think of Ron and Blaise?"
Hermione almost choked on her turkey. "I still can't believe we walked in on them snogging."
Harry laughed loudly. "That was classic. I can't wait to bug Ron about it later."
"Well I'm sure I'll be hearing all about it from Blaise." Hermione replied, setting her fork down on her empty plate. "Ahhh, much better."
"No more growling." Harry wagged a finger at her. "I don't want to hear your stomach anymore!" he teased.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she looked over at him. "Stop!"
"What are you going to do if I don't?" Harry flirted, turning to face her, a grin appearing on his face.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as he leaned down. "I'll make you."
"How?" he asked softly, his lips curving up further.
Hermione's mind was racing. 'What does he want me to do?' she asked herself desperately. She was not used to games, not used to flirting this way. "I uh…" she stammered, suddenly scared she wasn't going to do the right thing. "I don't know."
"Sure you do." Harry replied, his eyes taking on that glow, the one that always made her feel like she was falling under a spell.
"I do?" Hermione asked weakly. Harry looked down at her, their faces so close now they could feel each other's breath. He brought up a hand and gently caressed her cheek.
"Hermione, love...." he said, and she nearly passed out. "Why so nervous?"
"I don't know." She replied softly. Her eyes moved to his lips, which were slightly parted, and ready to be kissed. Before she could lose any amount of courage she had left, Hermione tilted her face up and pressed her mouth to his.
Harry grinned against her lips, his eyes closing as he kissed her back. His thumb rubbed lightly across her cheek, his other hand unable to keep from running through her locks.
Hermione, pleased with herself, tried to deepen the kiss. She tentatively touched her tongue to Harry's lips, which parted immediately, allowing her inside.
Harry let out a groan, then eased Hermione back so that she was lying down on the blanket. He was gentle, careful not to push her too much, or make her feel like he wanted to go faster than she was ready for. Hermione's arms came up around his neck, bringing him down on top of her.
She understood that Harry was taking things slow for her benefit, and she appreciated it, but Hermione didn't want to take things slow anymore. Moving her hand from his hair, she took his fingers and brought them down to the hem of her jumper.
Harry nearly gasped in surprise as she did this, but was pleased at the same time. He brought his hand up and over the top of the jumper, moving gently to the button that held it closed. Effortlessly snapping it open, he began to slowly peel it off.
Hermione's breath came faster as she felt the jumper being pulled back. She sat up, trying not to break the kiss, and helped Harry push the bothersome piece of clothing over her arms. Harry pulled his mouth from hers and tugged up on his own jumper. Hermione felt her breath catch in her throat as he tossed it aside. She swallowed nervously, was she supposed to take off her tank top as well?
"You don't have to." Harry said, as if reading her mind. "If you feel uncomfortable…"
"No… it's not that I'm uncomfortable…" Hermione was ashamed of being so inexperienced. "I just…I'm not sure what to do." Her face grew red with her confession.
Harry smiled. "It's all right. You don't have to be embarrassed." He sat back down next to her and gently ran his fingers through her hair. "We'll do whatever you feel like doing."
"Thanks." Hermione was relieved, her nerves immediately evaporating. Harry's fingers continued to run through her locks; he leaned in and gently pressed his lips against hers once more. Hermione responded, bringing up her hand to rest on his shoulder. Opening her mouth when his tongue touched her lips, she moved her hand down across his chest.
Harry took a sharp intake of breath when he felt her hand travel across his torso. Her touch was as light as a feather as he pressed harder against her mouth. He took his fingers from her hair and traced them lightly up and down her bare arm. Pulling his mouth away from hers, he gently kissed her neck, working his way down to the hollow of her throat.
Hermione felt her heartbeat quicken as Harry kissed her. She tilted her head back, making her neck more accessible to him. Falling back once again on the blanket, Hermione curved her arms around Harry and let her hands wander about his back as he continued to kiss her.
She tasted sweet to Harry, he couldn't put a finger on what it was, but all he could think of was sweet. He suckled lightly on her skin, not wanting to leave marks on her. Moving his mouth down, he kissed a spot low on her neck, and felt his body tighten as she jerked underneath him.
"Oh!" Hermione couldn't help exclaiming as a thrill shot straight through her. He had kissed her in that one spot, that ONE spot… she herself hadn't even known that such a spot existed on her body, that would make her feel that way.
Harry brought his lips down again, touching the spot lightly, and was rewarded when her body literally jerked under his. He felt himself tighten at the way she reacted to him and pulled his mouth away. Harry brushed a lock of hair from her forehead as he gazed down at her. Hermione opened her eyes and stared back at him.
"Like that, did you love?" he asked, stroking her hair gently. Hermione could only nod softly. A strong wave of desire washed over her as she looked into his eyes, and before she really realised what she was doing, guided his hand down underneath her shirt. Harry looked down at where his hand was now, and then back up at her. She nodded again.
"Please." Her voice was so soft he wasn't sure at first if Hermione had spoken, but then she started to move his hand up, taking her top with it. Somehow, he managed to lift it over her head without making her sit up, and he dropped the shirt on his jumper. Looking back down at her, Harry slowly drew his eyes from her stomach up to her face, where he could still see apprehension in her eyes.
"You're gorgeous." He said, his low voice soothing to her. His fingers cupped the side of her face, his thumb stroking across her cheek. Without waiting to respond, he dipped his head and kissed her, delving his tongue into her mouth almost immediately. His hand was hot on her bare skin; he moved it slowly up and down her side.
Hermione felt herself relax as Harry's fingers brushed against her. She took her hands and buried them in his hair, letting the dark strands slip through her fingers.
'Why am I being so tentative?' she asked herself. 'I want this, I want him! I love Harry and he loves me too!' Stroking her tongue against his, Hermione kissed him back so fiercely she knew her lips would be bruised come morning, but she could care less. Pulling her mouth from his, it was her turn to taste his skin, suckling lightly; she imitated what he had done earlier.
Harry could tell she was loosening up, and he was glad for that. If it hadn't gone any further than kissing with all their clothes on, he'd have been fine with that, but this was more than he had hoped for tonight. His heart beat faster as her mouth continued to move over his bare chest, her tongue occasionally sneaking out and flicking against his skin.
"Hermione…" he choked out. "Do you know what you're doing to me?" She raised her head and looked at him. "Not sure what to do?" he grinned, sitting up and wrapping his arms around her.
"Well… I haven't had much experience." Hermione started to say but Harry kissed her firmly.
"No more talk." He said, hugging her. "I just want to sit and hold you for a little while."
"I won't argue with that." Hermione said. She moved so that she was sitting in his lap, with his arms wrapped around her middle. Leaning her head back against his shoulder, she let out a contented sigh. They sat together for some time in silence, fingers entwined, just enjoying each other. "Can we stay here all night?" Hermione asked, a bit wistfully.
Harry made a sound deep in his throat. "I wish we could. Part of the agreement I made with Dumbledore was that I'd have you back before morning."
"You had to make an agreement with Dumbledore?" Hermione twisted to look up at him.
"Well there wasn't anywhere on the grounds that would give us any sort of privacy. Besides, I like this place. Sometimes on Hogsmeade days I would sneak up here to be alone." Harry replied. "I've never taken anyone else here."
Hermione was touched by this remark; she smiled and kissed him quickly. He had shared his private place with her; she wanted to show him how much that meant to her. "Thank you." She said quietly. "I'm glad you trust me." Harry grinned down at her and pulled her more tightly against him. "Can we stay up here just a little while longer?" Feeling him nod, she relaxed once more in his embrace. Hermione closed her eyes and was nearly asleep when a thought sprang in her mind, a thought that made her blood run cold.
The bet.
Hermione stayed quiet, torn on whether or not to confess her secret. After a few minutes, she felt Harry start to get up.
"Almost midnight." He didn't sound enthused. "Suppose we should get on back."
"All right." Hermione agreed. As they both pulled their clothing back on, she began to feel horribly guilty. Harry had all but said outright that he hated girls who threw themselves at him, and here she had gone and made a bet that she could seduce him. He came up behind her and settled her cloak on her shoulders with one hand, his Firebolt in the other.
Harry looked down at her as she perched on the broom in front of him, she seemed upset about something but he chalked it up to having to leave. "We'll come back here." He said softly in her ear as he pulled up on the broom. "It'll be our spot from now on."
Hermione almost melted on the spot as he said that. She found his hand on the broomstick and squeezed it. 'I have to tell him. He obviously trusts me and I want to keep it that way. I'll tell him when we get back to the castle.' For now, Hermione only wanted to think about being with Harry, having his arm wrapped around her.
Harry landed the broom down by the front doors. Taking her hand in his, he helped her off, swinging his Firebolt over his shoulder. The castle was eerily silent, Hermione reasoned even Filch must be in bed by now, it was so late.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?" Harry asked as they approached the Slytherin Common Room.
"Of course." Hermione turned and looked up at him. He set his broomstick against the wall and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I had a good time tonight Harry."
"I did too." He replied. They stood there together for a long moment in silence, and then Harry leaned down and kissed her softly. "I guess I'd better get back to my dormitory."
"Should we meet outside the Great Hall before breakfast?" Hermione asked.
"I can meet you here." Harry said, and then grinned. "I'm sure Ron will want to meet Blaise." They both laughed and kissed again. "See you later."
"Bye." Hermione said softly. Harry pulled his hand from hers and began to walk away. 'Tell him!!!' her mind screamed. 'Tell him!' "Harry?" she said before she could stop herself.
"Yeah?" he asked, turning back around.
"I… need to tell you something." Hermione twisted her hands together.
"What?" Harry asked curiously. She had that scared, nervous look about her again, one that made a lump appear in his throat.
"I um…" Hermione bit her lower lip. "I'm not sure how to say this without it sounding completely horrible…"
"Just tell me." Harry's voice was soft.
"Well…this was back in January, before we got to know one another. Blaise and I were talking one night…and we made a bet."
"A bet?" Harry asked. "What sort of bet?"
Hermione swallowed nervously. "A bet… that I could seduce you before the end of the term."
A/N: You can say it. Evil! Mwahahahaha!!!!
Please don't forget to R/R!! Next chapter up as soon as we can get it written!