Harder to Breathe

Disclaimer: I don't own them, just the plot. bows to the lovely and talented JKR

A/N: Some of the characters may be slightly to very OOC, but it's my story, and I will do with them what I will. Complaint? Take it elsewhere, my friend. Oh, and the plot of this has little to nothing to do with the plot line of the books. If I get some good reviews on this chapter, I'll continue.

Chapter 1

"Are you sure we shouldn't tell Ron?" Hermione questioned, buttoning up her blouse. She turned halfway around, raising an eyebrow at Harry, who was stretched languidly across his four-poster bed. A small smile twitched onto her lips upon seeing his half-dressed, Quidditch-hardened body. The very same body that had been entangled with her own in the heat of passion.

"I told you, it would only upset him. I know he's my best mate and everything...but just not yet," Harry replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

Hermione sighed. Her and Harry were not "dating" per say, but rather enjoying a friends-with-benefits type of situation. And the benefits were quite pleasant, Hermione had to concede. She had never expected to be involved in such a relationship, with Harry, no less. But it had been a few weeks earlier, around the start of term of their seventh year, when the whole thing had started. Hermione thought back to that night in the common room...

Already loaded with homework, Hermione and Harry were the last ones up in the common room. The weather being uncommonly humid for September, Hermione was wearing only her Hogwarts skirt and a thin undershirt, and Harry had changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. The tank top, Hermione mused, seemed molded to his lean but muscular form. A thin sheen of sweat was glistening on his arms and neck, and Hermione found herself staring. Shaking her head slightly, Hermione turned back to her homework. With her head down, she didn't notice the quick glances Harry was stealing her way, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. Hermione couldn't help but peek over her book at Harry again. Only this time, Harry was looking right at her. She felt the crimson color flood her face, though she was somewhat amused to see that Harry also bore a red glow. What was going on? Hermione had never been attracted to Harry before. And she was sure he had never been attracted to her... Hormones, she chalked it up to. But there was something about his eyes, something...intense. Though it half-frightened her, a part of her was strangely excited.

Harry cleared his throat nervously. "Uh...Hermione?"

"Yes?" Hermione replied, trying to keep her voice level. She couldn't understand what had come over her. Or Harry for that matter, it seemed. Perhaps it was the heat, or maybe it was just hormones...or both.

Harry had risen from his seat on the couch and was walking, rather hesitantly Hermione noted, towards her chair. Her eyes were locked with his; those shockingly green orbs. As he got closer, Hermione could smell the scent of his cologne mixed with sweat, and her breath quickened. It was intoxicating. Before Hermione could gather her thoughts, Harry was standing over her. Before she could think of anything to say, Harry leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. And before she could realize the potential consequences, Hermione stood up and wrapped her arms around Harry's neck, kissing him back.

It took a few minutes before Hermione could form coherent thoughts She pulled away from Harry slightly.

"This is—we can't—we really shouldn't be doing this," she said breathlessly. It felt wrong to be in Harry's embrace like this, yet inexplicably she felt as though she could never pull herself away.

"I know...but that doesn't mean we have to stop," Harry replied, placing a hand on the small of her back and pulling her close. He gazed down into her chocolate-brown eyes, and she felt her resolve dissipating. As he kissed her again, harder, Hermione felt weak in the back of the knees. Hands on her waist, Harry pulled her gently towards the couch. After placing a light, teasing kiss on her neck, Harry laid Hermione down, then lowered himself down on top of her...

"Hermione? Did you hear me?"

Hermione snapped out of her reverie and turned to Harry. "Sorry, I must have zoned out for a moment—what?"

Harry sat up and ran a hand through his rumpled hair. "I said: 'Ron should be back soon.' Unless you want him to catch us in here, you should probably head out," he said.

A part of Hermione wanted to tell Ron what was going on, but another part of her was exhilarated by the secret affair. She knew that Ron would feel immensely betrayed as well. Even though Harry and Hermione were not "going out," she knew Ron would feel like a third wheel. The last thing Hermione wanted was for Ron to be hurt; she cared for the boy after all. In fact, that was part of the reason Hermione thought she continued to participate in this liaison with Harry. It helped relieve the frustration she felt due to Ron's inability to act on his obvious feelings. Hermione had always had feelings for Ron, but his constant refusal to admit them drove her mad. Staying and having Ron find her and Harry in a compromising position could prove excellent revenge for all her aggravation, but Hermione knew deep down she could never hurt him in such a way. No, Ron couldn't know about them.

"Yes, you're right," Hermione replied. She pulled her messy hair into a ponytail then slipped on her shoes. Harry was busy putting his sheets and blankets back in order, though he was still only clothed in boxer shorts.

When he was done, Harry pulled on a pair of pants and walked over to Hermione. He pulled her close and kissed her. Hermione parted her lips and allowed Harry to kiss her more deeply. She gained her sense back just before she was about to take all of her clothes back off.

"I really have to go Harry," she said, almost regretfully, pulling away from his inviting arms. The chance of being caught in such a position by Ron was not something she wanted to experience.

Harry frowned slightly, but finally nodded in agreement. "I'll meet you here tomorrow? During lunch?" he asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered. Harry smiled and kissed her one last time before she turned and left the Gryffindor boys' dormitory. Hermione headed down the staircase, feeling a slight pang of guilt in the pit of her stomach. She tried to shake it off, telling herself she had absolutely nothing to feel guilty about, but for some reason, she couldn't.