Forbidden Love
Chapter 6
Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked around the darkened area. As he did, his eyes gradually adjusted to the dimness
of the room with the aid of the faint moonlight that was spilling in through the partially boarded windows. Taking a
deep breath, he could almost taste the smell of rotting wood and decay around him as a frown pulled at his
features.
"Master..." a low, weak voice squeaked from just to his right.
"Wormtail...what is it that you wish of me?" he responded in a low hissing voice, not bothering spare a glance at the man beside him.
"They have located him, Master... the one whom you seek..."
Turning his head, he saw the small balding man next to him. His head was bowed in a display of respect, his grubby little fingers with their long yellow nails were rubbing against one another.
"Bring him to me."
"Yes, Master," Wormtail responded, backing out of the room, never once looking up to make eye contact.
He felt satisfaction run thorough him at the display. Though he knew that respect was one of the reasons the weak little wizard wouldn't look at him, he also knew that fear was the main reason. He felt his blood rush and his pulse quicken at the feeling of power that surged through him, there was nothing he loved better than the taste of fear- except perhaps being the incarnation of fear itself.
"My Lord," A tall wizard that Harry didn't recognize entered the room, giving a quick bow of his head the wizard looked at him.
"Surpsus, where is he?" he responded in the same low, hissing voice, asking a question that came out more as a demand.
"Well, my Lord," the tall wizard called Surpsus replied, giving another bow and looking quite nervous. "You see, we have located him, but have been unable to... acquire him as of yet."
"What," was the quiet response.
"M- my Lord...the Aurors, they are keeping close watch. -I do not know how they know that we seek him but it seems as though they have somehow gained the knowledge." He finished, casting a nervous glance to the wand clutched by long, pale, claw-like fingers.
"You have failed me."
"No, no... my lord, we still know where he is located and are just waiting for the most..."
"Silence," it was said in a voice no louder than a whisper, but still carried the same effect as a roar. Surpsus gave a terrified look as the wand raised in his direction. "I do not tolerate failure, momentary or not."
The wizard took a step back, "My Lord... please," he plead.
Harry felt a smile curl on his lips "Ava-"
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Harry shot up in bed, his sweaty shirt clinging to his body and his scar stinging slightly. Feeling scared and disoriented, he looked around the room, bewildered because the smell of rotting wood was still singeing his nostrils. Reaching shakily for his glasses, he placed them on his face, breathing a sigh of relief when the nicely furnished guest room in the Grangers' home came into view.
'Voldemort,' his mind said and his body shuddered.
Where the hell did that come from? He hadn't dreamed about or felt the presence of Voldemort since he was defeated by Dumbledore months ago. What did it mean, and, more importantly, who was he looking for? Was it him...no, no it couldn't be him, the other wizard said "somehow, the Aurors knew". With him, there would be no doubt or secret that Voldemort was trying to get him. So if it wasn't him... then who?
Harry pushed the covers off of his legs, swinging them over the side of the bed they came in contact with the plush carpeted floor. Rubbing his scar again and wincing slightly he tried to think of what to do.
'Hermione,' his mind whispered to him.
Looking at the clock on the nightstand, he noticed that it was about one o'clock in the morning. Would she still be up? He didn't want to bother her...
'She'll be furious if you don't at least try to tell her right away, you know how she is,' he thought to himself.
Heaving a small sigh he pushed up off of the bed and quietly made his way to Hermione's room. Reaching her door he noticed that it was slightly ajar, sticking his head in through the crack to see if she was awake or not, he saw her small form in the canopied bed. Harry frowned, she looked to be asleep... but then- she didn't. Watching her closely, he noticed that she was clutching something in one of her hands. Harry squinted to get a clearer view. Focusing on the item, he realized that it was a black picture frame.
'Why is she holding a picture frame?' he asked silently, his brows furrowing in confusion.
As he was pondering this question he noticed something else, something that made his heart stop. While one of Hermione's hands was clutching the picture, the other was under the light blanket. He gripped the door handle as he felt his legs began to give out on him. The situation was not helped when she tilted her head back her eyes closed and a look of pleasure on her flushed face. Harry struggled to breathe; there was no more question as to what she was doing under those covers. He continued to watch her entranced, knowing that he was invading her privacy but finding himself hard-pressed to care.
The play of emotions on her face was magnificent; she was glowing brighter than any star he had ever seen. Her curly brown hair was fanned out onto the light colored pillow and with the light from the moon hitting her arching body. Every once and a while Hermione's eyes would open briefly and give a fleeting glance to the small black picture frame. Tearing his gaze away from her he glanced at the table next to her bed. Harry felt his stomach drop when he noticed that the picture of Ron - that had been there a few weeks ago - was gone, he looked back at the frame in her hands and knew exactly where it had went.
Looking Hermione's face once more, his grip on the door handle became almost painful as she bit her lip and closed her eyes, her head lulling to one side. He found that his breath had begun to match hers in pants and he could almost feel her against him. Less than a minute later she squished her eyes shut, her mouth opened in a silent scream as her body practically arched off of the bed. Harry's legs immediately gave out and though he had grabbed desperately onto the door handle, his hand slipped due to his sweaty palm. Harry immediately flung himself back so that he wouldn't fall thorough her door. Getting off of his bum almost as soon as he landed on it, he quickly made a mad dash back to his room.
Jumping back into bed he faced the wall and pulled his covers up to his shoulders closing his eyes. A moment later he heard what sounded like the door creak from behind him, Harry attempted to lie as naturally as possible and resisted the urge to hold his breath knowing that it would look suspicious. After about a minute he heard his door creak again, giving it one minute more, he finally turned around and was relived to see that there was no one there. Lying on his back he stared at the ceiling trying to come to grips with what he had just witnessed. Reaching up to run a hand through his hair, he almost cursed aloud when he realized that his glasses were still on his face. Rolling his eyes at his own stupidity and roughly taking the frames back off and sitting them on the night stand he once again turned on his side and tried to get some sleep.
'I can't believe it,' he thought to himself 'who would ever believe that Hermione would...' Harry shook his head in wonder. 'I can still smell her...' he inhaled deeply, shaking his head in wonder. 'Well at least I can't still smell that horrible hou- Crap! I forgot about the dream!' His eyes widened 'Wait, I forgot about the dream?' He had never forgotten about a Voldemort dream 'Though this is probably the one of the only ways that it would ever happen... and probably one of the best too,' Harry thought ruefully as a small smile played on his lips. 'Ok, Harry go to sleep, you have a long day tomorrow, we leave early to get to the station for the train...' he sighed, for the first time ever he felt like he didn't want to go back to Hogwarts.
Pushing the dangerous thoughts out of his mind and trying to concentrate on what he had to look forward to tomorrow, Harry fell into a fitful sleep. However this sleep was not filled with Dark Lords and killing curses, but with alluring wood nymphs, with brown eyes and picture frames...
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Hermione walked back to her room on wobbly legs.
'Okay, so he didn't see me.' she thought to herself breathing a sigh of relief.
She had never really done anything like that before, but for some reason tonight...
'It was that blasted water park,' she thought 'this is ridiculous I have never been one to fall victim to stupid teenage hormones.'
Hermione sat heavily on her bed nervously pulling her hair over one shoulder. She could have sworn that she had heard someone outside of her room right after she... well, when she finished. As she opened her eyes, she heard a distinctive `thump' that sounding like someone or something falling. However after checking in on Harry he seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
'What in the world is wrong with me?' she thought lying back on her bed, her head brushing up against a dark picture frame. 'I would have been mortified if Harry caught me.'
She picked up the frame and looked at the picture; Harry waived back at her happily and gave her a small wink. As she had noticed earlier, the photo Ron and Hermione were conspicuously absent from the shot. She didn't know what had possessed her, she didn't even know where her picture self had gone... all she knew was that she was still trying to sort out her feelings about what had happened between them at the park when she looked at the picture and noticed that Harry was now alone.
"Then one thing led to another, blah blah blah..." Hermione mumbled, rolling her eyes. "Never again, you." she told picture Harry at which time she was pretty sure that he arched a dark brow at her.
Peering closely at the picture, she couldn't see any difference, so, with a small shrug, she got up and placed the photo back on the wall. Sitting back down on her bed she considered taking the picture of Ron out of her drawer where she had placed it when she took down Harry's photo, but ultimately decided against it. She did not need photo Ron smiling and winking at her. Heaving another sigh Hermione took a quick trip to the restroom and then returned to bed, climbing in and falling asleep. However, tonight her dream didn't consist of the usual romantic evening with a red haired boy, but of a steamy evening with a dark haired one instead.
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Hermione stood next to Harry at the train station, her dad was pulling her trunk for school out of the car and placing it on the push cart.
"Well, honey I guess this is it," her mum said with a watery smile "we're gonna miss you both."
She then came forward, first enveloping Hermione in a tight hug and then doing the same with Harry. As she pulled back, Mrs. Granger placed a small kiss on Harry's cheek and gave him a bright smile.
"It was great having you, Harry. Feel free to visit anytime," she took a breath and stepped back.
"Bye, sweetie," Mr. Granger said pulling Hermione into a tight hug. "Have fun at school and don't accidentally get hecked or anything, okay?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and grinned at him "Hexed daddy- and don't worry, I won't."
Mr. Granger had the grace to look embarrassed for a moment before turning to Harry. He hesitated for about a minute before -to both Harry and Hermione's surprise- he pulled the boy into a tight hug.
"It really was nice to meet you, Harry. We constantly get to hear about you and Ron when she gets back from school, but it's great to be able to really place your face with your name." He gave a grin "I do have to say, after having met you, I realize that I don't have to worry about my daughter as much. I know you wouldn't let anything happen to her."
Harry blushed and dipped his head before looking her dad in the eye. "No sir, I wouldn't. I'd protect her with my life."
"You have before," she said softly so that only Harry could hear, causing his blush to deepen.
"Well-" her mum started, giving them both one more quick hug. "I guess that we'll see you two at Christmas," she looked at the dark haired boy. "Not saying that you have to come, just that we'd love to have you back for the holidays if you don't have any plans."
Without giving Harry a chance to answer Ella Granger gave one last smile and turned getting back into the car.
"That offer is from both of us Harry," Dan Granger said with a smile "you kids have a great time and be sure to write."
At that he gave them a nod of the head and hopped into the car with his wife, both gave one last wave before pulling away from the curb and driving down the street. Harry and Hermione watched them until the car turned the corner.
"They really like you, you know," she stated giving Harry a grin.
He blushed a deep crimson color before giving a small grunt in response. Hermione rolled her eyes, and gave him a nudge.
"Come on let's go, as Head Girl, I cannot be late," she offered him a small smile.
Harry nodded in response and began to push the cart while she walked next to him, sneaking glances every few seconds. He had been really quiet all morning and for some reason kept giving her sidelong glances.
"Harry?"
He jumped before looking at her, his expression... guilty?
"Uh...yeah?" He asked, looking at her for a split second and then looked forward as they neared the pillar between platforms nine and ten.
"Are you okay?" she touched his arm, frowning when he jumped.
"Ye- yeah, sure- I just...well..." he trailed off, then without breaking his pace walked into the pillar.
Hermione followed quietly, still peering closely at him. Why on earth was he blushing so much?
"Harry."
"Yeah?"
"Look at me," he turned his head "what's going on?"
"Uh... nothing, I'm just excited, to be headed back to Hogwarts," he looked around again.
She frowned "That's not it and you know it- what's wrong?"
Harry looked at her nervously; licking his lips his eyes darted around for a moment before setting back on her face.
"Well, it's just that-"
"Harry!! Hermione!! Over here!"
They turned just in time to see Ron rushing towards them, his face alight with happiness and his red hair glinting lightly in the sun. He brushed past several first year girls who giggled as he squeezed through their group. Several of them stared longingly at the older boy before their eyes settled on Harry. It was actually quite comical to see the tiny ten year old girls preening for the oblivious older Quidditch captain.
"Ron!" Harry called out smiling and giving his mate a half hug.
"Hey, Ron," Hermione said softly as he reached them, stifling a gasp of surprise when he enveloped her in a strong hug.
Her eyes, for some reason immediately went to Harry who frowned for a moment until he noticed her gaze. Seeing her watching him, he gave her a teasing grin, one that she had become very accustomed to over the last two weeks of the summer.
"So, how you guys been?" Ron asked pulling away from her and blushing deeply.
Harry's grin widened.
"We've been fine," Hermione answered ignoring Harry as he quirked a brow and made a face and little motions with his hand, simulating her and Ron kissing.
Ron catching his friend in the act reached over and playfully hit Harry in the arm. When they both began to laugh Hermione rolled her eyes and suppressed a smile.
"Well, I'll let you guys get caught up I have to go check and make sure that everyone knows where to sit." She gave a sigh when they both made faces at her "Look, it's part of my duties as Head Girl, besides as captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team and a Gryffindor Prefect," she gave Ron a pointed look. "You should be glad that I'm doing it so that you don't have to. Now go find us a compartment in the front with all of the other student staff members please."
With that, she walked past them, fighting a smile at the impudent salutes that they gave her. Looking around through the crowd, she did her best to locate Zach Smith who had been fortunate enough to receive the title of Head Boy. After looking around without success for a few minutes, she finally spotted him through the crowd. Hermione made her way over to him and together they devised a game plan to get everyone seated in a timely manner and ease some of the worries of the first years.
Thirty minutes later, the train was moving and everyone was settled with the exception of her, Zach, and a few house Perfects. Walking down the corridor at the front of the train, she peeked through the windows on the doors, looking for her friends. In the third window, she noticed Harry and Ron sitting alone in the room opposite one another talking.
"Hey," she said with a small smile, slipping into the compartment and taking a seat next to Harry.
She noticed Ron give her a strange look and she paused for a moment before blushing. Getting up from her previous seat, she took the one opposite her dark-haired friend and next to her red-haired boyfriend.
"So, what's going on?" she asked Ron.
"Oh, Harry was just telling me about his dream about you-know-who." Ron answered looking back at her.
"Voldemort, Ron." Harry supplied, grinning when his mate cringed.
"Harry, you had another dream, when?" she gave him a concerned look.
"Last night," he replied softly, flushing.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"He tried," Ron interrupted "but when he went to your room you were asleep, right Harry?"
Her eyes shot to the other boy and Hermione felt her whole body flush as Harry looked guiltily at the floor.
"Right," he muttered quietly turning his gaze to the passing scenery.
Hermione, who suddenly felt very warm and uncomfortable, looked down at her lap.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked, giving her a concerned look and taking her hand.
"Yeah..." she answered softly, knowing that it was a lie.
A.N. Well, that's it for this chapter. I know that the earlier part had a somewhat sensitive
subject matter and I handled it as tastefully as possible. Hey, stuff happens. I hope you won't run away from the
fic screaming but I guess I'll see. Until then, PLEASE REVIEW and Ja ne!!
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