DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, AND I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.

Chapter 2

Harry led Hermione toward the bathroom, her small, soft hand squeezing his tightly as they went. The bathroom within the tent was not overly large; It held a bathtub, a small shower, a sink and a toilet. There was also a towel rail. As Harry lead Hermione into the room he pulled her closer to his side and then let go of her hand. He didn't notice that she let out a small whimper. They stopped at the edge of the bath and Harry pulled out his wand and muttered, 'Aguamenti.'

The bath filled with water, and with another wave of his wand, Harry heated the liquid. He turned to Hermione. She was standing with her arms clutched around her torso, not moving an inch. Harry thought she looked so vulnerable. He slowly raised his arms and Hermione leaned forward, allowing herself to be enveloped into Harry's warm body. She dropped her head and rested it on his chest, sniffed. Harry gently rubbed Hermione's back and said, 'There you go Hermione. I'll be right outside, okay?'

He felt Hermione tense at his words. She had raised her head and was looking into his eyes. Before Harry could say anything, Hermione spoke, her voice deathly quiet.

'I don't want you to go.' Harry was taken aback. His head moved away from Hermione slightly and his face took on a confused expression. It was only now that Harry realised that if he was going to stay with Hermione then he would see her naked. She hadn't brought a bathing suit or a bikini. Or at least he didn't think she had; he'd never seen one.

Harry started to imagine what it would be like. Hermione, laying naked in the bath, with himself sitting on the stool next to her. He didn't feel at all comfortable with the idea. 'I dunno Hermione. Are you sure? I mean I would just be outside, you could even leave the door open,' he said. Harry noticed that Hermione's eyes were swimming with tears.

'Harry, I- I- don't want to be alone. Please, don't go,' pleaded Hermione. Her face was once again buried in Harry's chest. He really didn't know what to do. He wanted Hermione to be happy again, especially after what happened at Malfoy Manor, but he didn't want to disrespect her.

Harry had never seen a naked girl before. He'd imagined them before, but he'd never had the warm, naked body of a girl in front of him. Harry tried to answer Hermione but found that his words caught in his throat. He let go of Hermione and she looked hurt, as if she thought this meant that Harry didn't want to help her.

Of course this was the exact opposite. Harry was more than happy to help Hermione. The only problem was that she would be naked, and Harry wasn't sure if he'd be able to control his hormonal teenage body. He didn't want Hermione to get the wrong idea about him. He didn't want her to think that he was checking her out.

'Hermione, don't you have a swim suit?' Harry asked. Hermione just shook her head, her arms once again wrapped around herself. Harry sighed and walked back up to Hermione. He prised her hands from around herself and took them both in his.

'Hermione, please don't think badly of me, if, well, you know...' Harry trailed off. Hermione just looked at him, confused. A pained and embarrassed expression crossed Harry's face and using his head, he gestured towards his groin.

Now Hermione understood. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. Then she did something that Harry wasn't expecting. She blushed. 'Harry, I didn't think about that,' said Hermione, then she looked at the floor, 'But I don't think that'll be a problem.'

'Why not?' Hermione's eyes locked with Harry's again, and she said,

'Because it's not like I'm pretty or anything.'

'Yes you are, Hermione.' Harry hadn't meant to say anything. Now his eyes widened and Hermione blushed even more.

'You don't have to say that Harry,' she said. Harry had to stay with the conversation now.

'I said it because it's true,' he said. And finally Hermione smiled. At last she was returning to her normal self. Harry breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't say anything else. Instead she removed her hands from Harry's and turned away from him, unbuttoning her plaid shirt. When Harry realised what she was doing Harry quickly said,

'Hermione, are you sure you're okay with me seeing you naked?' Hermione looked over her shoulder at him and gave him a simple nod. Harry didn't want to upset her, especially now that she seemed to be getting a little bit better.

Harry watched her back, and when she let the shirt slide off her shoulders, Harry sucked in a breath. Hermione wasn't naked yet, and she was still wearing a bra and facing away from him. But Harry could already tell that she had an a fantastic body. This realisation caused Harry to quickly avert his eyes.

He didn't want his body to enter a state that he had no control over. And Hermione was his best friend. He didn't want to be having sexual thoughts about her. His eyes roamed the canvas roof of the tent, and he heard Hermione's jeans fall to the floor. He couldn't help it.

His eyes diverted back down and he was graced with the fleeting image of Hermione's perfect, smooth bottom, clad in white knickers. When Harry realised his resolve to not look at Hermione was failing he forced himself to look up again and think about Quidditch.

But now Quidditch seemed like the most boring subject in the world. Now Harry had a teenage girl before him, who was not wearing much. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione removing her bra, and then two blurred nipples. Harry was beginning to lose control. Harry's gaze fell from the canvas once again.

Hermione's body came into focus. She had bent over slightly to see how hot the water was. Her knickers were still on. Harry decided that if he saw her remove that particular undergarment, he would lose all control and would have to rearrange himself in front of Hermione, just so he wasn't enduring any pain.

He turned right around, facing away from the bath and Hermione. A few seconds later he heard the water splashing against the side of the bath, and knew that Hermione's body would be out of sight, if only partially.

'Harry, could you come over here?' Hermione's voice came from afar and Harry turned slowly, ready to whip back around to face the wall should Hermione be revealing any of herself to him. However, his worries were untrue. Hermione was laying in the water up to her neck, and bubbles were floating in the top, conveniently covering her up.

Harry sighed and walked towards her, careful to step over the pile of clothes she left on the floor. He pulled the stool so it was right next to the bath and sat down. Hermione's arm snaked out of the watery depths, and her hand reached for his.

Harry immediately took hold of it, giving it a small squeeze. He watched Hermione as she adjusted her body so that she could rest her head on the edge of the bath nearest Harry. It was at that point that Harry just observed her face, close to his own.

Hermione's eyes had closed and she looked so peaceful. The colour in her lips was returning and her face was no longer stained with the tear tracks that had lined it before she got in the bath. Harry assumed that she had quickly washed her face before calling him over. He watched her for a few more moments and then he spoke, his voice quiet so as not to startle Hermione.

'You really are beautiful,' Hermione's eyes opened and she raised her head off the edge of the bath, meeting Harry's eyes. She smiled at him.

'Thanks Harry,' she said. Hermione moved her body again in the bath and sat up. This lead to Harry quickly having to avert his gaze. Her breasts had moved above the water line. Hermione had noticed Harry's sudden head movement and her voice was quiet when she spoke.

'Harry, I told you I don't mind.'

Very slowly Harry turned his head back to face her. Once he had assumed his previous position, he stared at Hermione's face, determined not to be drawn by the soft orbs a few inches below. Hermione noticed Harry's almost robotic movements and took pity on him. She pushed herself back down in the bath, and her breasts disappeared under the bubbles.

Harry visibly relaxed, although he was still painfully aware of what was waiting to happen. He clenched the muscles in his groin and felt a small lift within his trousers. He swallowed hard and tried to ignore it.

Hermione soaked herself in the warm water and after a period of silence said, 'Harry, thank you so much for saving me.' Harry looked at Hermione, his hand still in hers. He gave her another squeeze.

'You don't have to thank me Hermione,' he said. Hermione frowned, her brain working furiously.

'Yes, Harry, I do. If you hadn't got me out of there, I'd probably be dead,' she said, and then continued, 'How did you even manage it Harry? Not that I doubt you,' she added.

Harry took in a long breath and exhaled. 'I'm not really sure Hermione. I suppose it was mostly luck,' Hermione shook her head, apparently not believing that her escape had been all luck. 'Fine,' said Harry, noticing Hermione's shaking head, 'I suppose there was some skill involved. I knew you'd been taken to Malfoy Manor, the only problem was I didn't know where it was. Then I remembered seeing a picture of it in the Daily Prophet and I thought about the picture really hard, then apparated. I managed it, and landed on a hillside near the woods over looking the foul place,' Hermione had rested her head on her arm, engrossed by Harry's story. 'Then I couldn't think of a way to get in. But then I thought of Dobby. I called him and he appeared. He took me inside and I told him that when I called him again, to grab you and take you away. Then to come back for me.'

Hermione looked very impressed with Harry's story. He didn't really think that she should be all that impressed, it wasn't the best escape ever.

'What happened after I was gone?' Hermione asked with baited breath, like a child desperately wanting to know what happens in the next chapter when they're being read to.

'Bellatrix cast the Cruciatus,' Hermione gasped, Harry quickly continued, not wanted her to get upset, 'But she missed. Then she tried again, but I dodged and then I-' but Harry stopped. He hadn't thought about the duel with Bellatrix. He had cast the Cruciatus on her, and it had worked.

'What, Harry?' Hermione looked concerned. Harry gathered himself and carried on.

'I cast the Cruciatus, and it worked...' Harry finished quietly.

'Oh Harry!' Hermione cried out and raised her arms from the water. She pulled him into a very wet hug, her body hanging half way out of the bath. Harry had been expecting this, and reflexively put his arms around her.

The skin on her back felt so smooth and soft that Harry knew instantly he should let go. But he found he didn't really want to. The two teenagers held each other for a few moments and then Hermione pulled away, sinking back down into the water.

'Sorry,' she muttered. Harry shrugged and pulled out his wand. With a quick flick he dried himself.

'I think I'll get out now,' said Hermione. Harry didn't get a chance to stand and take up his position facing the wall. Hermione had pushed herself up with her arms and was now standing in the bath, water dripping from her body.

Harry felt his eye being drawn to her body but before he could completely focus on her, Hermione had stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her body. Harry let out a sigh of relief and stood up.

Hermione started to towel herself dry and Harry looked away again. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle it if he saw Hermione rubbing her breasts. As he was staring at the wall Hermione said,

'Harry, could you dry my back?' Harry gulped, and glanced over his shoulder. Hermione was facing away from him, holding the towel behind her back. He moved forward and cautiously took the towel from her. He started to gently rub her back, getting rid of the moisture that was still present. All the while his eyes darted around the room, not focusing completely on one thing.

Harry didn't notice that he was still rubbing Hermione's back even though she was no longer wet. Eventually he realised and cleared his throat and muttered, 'There you go.' Hermione wrapped the towel back around herself and walked out of the bathroom. Harry followed her, careful not to focus on the shapely, bare legs that carried her.

They entered the main area of the tent and Hermione sat down on her bed and started to rummage through her beaded bag for her night clothes. Harry loitered a few metres away, still avoiding looking at Hermione. After a few minutes she found her clothes and pulled her night top, put her feet through her flannel trousers and stood, pulling them up under the towel she still had wrapped around her.

Harry only looked at Hermione once she had put her clothes on and folded the towel neatly, setting it on the end of her bed. She looked at Harry, as though expecting something. When he didn't move or say anything she stood up and took his hand. She led him back to her bed and together they sat down.

'Harry, could we sleep next to each other?' Hermione asked in a low voice. Her words floated into Harry's ears and he nearly fell off her bed.

'What! I- Hermione- Do you really want to? I mean I don't mind... If you want to then I-' Harry couldn't string his words together and Hermione's lips twitched as she tried to suppress a smile.

'Harry, I didn't mean in the same bed. I just meant do you mind if you moved your bed next to mine, that's all.' She looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting. 'I don't want to be alone.'

Harry looked at Hermione and took her hands in his. He had calmed down after she had explained what she had meant by them sleeping next to each other.

'Of course Hermione,' he said, 'I don't mind.' Hermione beamed at him.

'I'm gonna go and brush my teeth, and go to the toilet,' she said, and then she rushed off back to the bathroom, towel in hand.

Harry sat on Hermione's bed for a few moments. He was glad he'd made it through her bath without embarrassing himself. He got up and went over to his bed. Harry pulled out his wand, said, 'Wingardium Leviosa,' and levitated his bed across the tent. He set it down next to Hermione's, leaving a small gap so she could get in without clambering over him.

Hermione came back from the bathroom and Harry asked if she could give him his pyjamas. Hermione once again searched her bag, this time looking for Harry's night clothes. When she passed them to him, he left to go and brush his teeth.

Hermione watched Harry's back disappear into the bathroom and then settled into her cool bed. She lay there looking at the canvas. She was trying not to remember the events that had nearly killed her only a few hours ago. Hermione didn't have to avoid them for long however, as Harry returned from the bathroom quickly and got into bed.

He rolled onto his side and looked at Hermione, who did the same. They just lay there for a few seconds staring at each other before Hermione said, 'Thank you so much Harry,' she gave him a pointed look and added, 'For everything.'

Harry knew she was referring to him staying with her whilst she washed. 'It's okay Hermione,' he said. He saw her hand slip from under her duvet and reach towards him. Instinctively he pushed his own hand out of his bed, and found Hermione's. Instantly they grasped each other.

They didn't speak again that night and they both lay in bed, silently watching each other, before exhaustion claimed them, and they fell asleep, still holding hands.

Surprisingly Harry had slept well. When he awoke in the morning, the sun illuminating the canvas of the tent, he wondered how he had managed it. He lay there in his bed, closed his eyes, and remembered the previous night. A blurred figure drifted through his field of vision. The figure came into focus. Hermione's naked form was on the back of his eyelids. His eyes snapped open.

Harry's head fell to the side and he laid eyes on Hermione's empty bed. The sheets were screwed up and cast aside. He pushed himself up, and supported his body with one hand. With the other he rubbed his eyes and looked around the tent. There was no movement. He slid his legs out of bed and picked up his wand.

Harry was feeling worried. He listened hard but couldn't hear Hermione. He debated whether or not to call out to her. It felt like the night she was taken. He had woken up and couldn't find her. She had gone to find some food for them to eat, and whilst he had been padding around the tent he'd heard her scream.

Harry decided it would be best to check outside. He cautiously made his way over to the entrance. Holding out his hand, Harry pulled the canvas door towards him. He had been expecting a Death Eater to be standing outside, waiting to curse him, but he was greeted by the cool morning air. It didn't look like Hermione had left the tent.

Harry turned around and walked back into the main area of the tent, relaxing slightly, but still gripping his wand. He moved into the kitchen and found Hermione, bent over the small gas stove, heating a kettle.

'There you are,' he said. Hermione jumped, and nearly knocked the kettle to the floor. She spun around and looked at Harry.

'Oh, it's just you, Harry,' she said, and before he could look at her properly, Hermione had turned back to the kettle. Harry slowly sat down at the table and gave the back of her head an appraising look. Harry could sense that there was something wrong with Hermione, but he didn't know what.

He sat there in silence for a few minutes, just watching Hermione's back. He watched as she rummaged in her beaded bag and pulled out some teabags. The kettle let out a loud whistle and Hermione waved her wand, levitating it. Boiling water poured into the two mugs that were next to the stove and when they were full, the kettle set itself back down on the stove.

Hermione picked up the mugs and turned to the table. She put one down near Harry's idle hands, then sat down opposite him. Harry didn't touch his tea, and studied Hermione as she raised her mug to her mouth. He noticed that her hand was shaking slightly and this was made all the more obvious when she had to use her other hand to steady the mug.

Harry took a sip of the hot beverage, and said, 'Hermione, are you alright?'

Her eyes shot to him then darted to the table. Harry was beginning to become concerned. What was so bad that Hermione couldn't tell him? His mind went straight into overdrive. He imagined the worst. That she had been raped before he had been able to get to her and save her. The image of a small baby already growing inside her consumed his mind.

'I'm fine, Harry,' Hermione said, in a voice that clearly showed she wasn't. At her answer Harry pushed thoughts of a pregnant Hermione from his mind and reached across the table, putting his hand on her forearm.

'Hermione, please, you have to tell me. I'm already going mad. What's wrong? Were you... Did the Death Eater...' Harry took a deep breath, and his voice was barely audible when he spoke again, 'Did they rape you?'

Hermione's eyes widened with shock. It was the first time Harry had seen them all day. There were dark circles under her eyes, and they were very bloodshot. She quickly shook her head.

'No Harry, they didn't,' she answered in a small voice.

'Then what's wrong?' Harry continued to press her.

Hermione took another sip of her tea.

'During the night I had a load of nightmares,' she mumbled.

'Hermione why didn't you wake me up?'

'I- I didn't want to. I didn't want to disturb you.'

Harry got up from his seat and walked around the table. He sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Hermione immediately rested her head on Harry.

'Hermione, you don't have to worry about disturbing me. I mean, I had plenty of nightmares when we were at Hogwarts, and I wished I had someone to hold me and tell me it was going to be okay. I know what it's like Hermione. The dreams feel so real, like you're back there,' Harry pulled away from Hermione and looked into her eyes, 'But I don't want you thinking that you can't wake me up in the middle of the night if you need me, okay?' Hermione didn't answer. 'Okay?' Harry repeated.

'Yes,' she said quietly.

'Good,' Harry pulled her back tighter to him, and gave her a small squeeze.

Harry didn't make any attempt to move Hermione. She was resting against him now and he had grown quite used to it. He didn't want to disturb her. Hermione let out a small sigh, shifting her body away from Harry. He dropped his arm from her shoulders and let it fall back to his side.

'We should probably start thinking about the locations of the horcruxes, Harry,' she said. Harry groaned. All thought of Voldemort's secret soul containers had been chased from his mind when Hermione had been taken, and it hadn't returned once she was safe until now.

'But Hermione, we don't have any information on them. We're still stuck in the same place we were when Ron left,' he grumbled. Hermione's eyes swam with tears again. Realising his mistake Harry's mouth fell open. How could he have been so stupid as to mention Ron's name?

'Hermione, I'm really sorry,' he said, his face apologetic. 'I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to-' Hermione put her finger to Harry's lips. His nerves sensed the warmth coming from her digit. 'Ssh Harry. It's okay. It's just, I haven't really thought about him...' Hermione removed her finger from Harry's lips and gave him a faint smile.

'Neither have I.' Harry spoke before he could stop himself. His hand shot to his mouth when he realised what he had said. Hermione gave him an odd look, before opening her bag. She pulled out some parchment. At the top she had written Locations in her neat handwriting.

Underneath Hermione had written several of the places they had thought the horcruxes might be hidden. So far they had:

Hogwarts

Gringotts

Godric's Hollow

The Orphanage

Hermione stared at the words before her. Then she buried her face in her hands and groaned.

'This is completely useless. We have no where to start. We can't go to Hogwarts or Gringotts, at least not without polyjuice potion. We've been to the Orphanage already, and there wasn't anything there. Harry, what are we going to do?' She turned and looked at him desperately.

Harry had the sudden urge to hug her again. He wanted to pull Hermione into his lap and hold her close. He wanted to tell her that it would be okay, and that they would both be safe. But he couldn't. Something in the back of his mind was stopping him.

'What about Godric's Hollow? We could still go there,' he said. Hermione's lips stretched into a thin grimace.

'I don't know, Harry. It seems like something You-Know-Who would expect you to do. What if it's a trap, Harry? I don't know if I would be able to fight him off and get you out of there quickly.'

'You'd be able to, Hermione. I know you would.'

'Thanks Harry. But I don't know.'

Harry slid along the bench, closer to Hermione. He grabbed her hands and squeezed them tightly.

'Hermione, we don't have any other choice. We're not going to be able to get through this without taking a few risks. And anyway, Bathilda Bagshot lives in Godric's Hollow.' Harry shook his head as Hermione began to ask how he knew this piece of information. 'I overheard Ginny's great aunt at Bill and Fleur's wedding.'

Harry was careful not to say Ron's name again, and Hermione was placated by his answer. He waited for her answer patiently. All the while she bit her lip. Harry found this very alluring, and his eyes became fixed to her lip, watching the colour leave and then return, like the tide at a beach.

'Okay, we'll go,' said Hermione. She looked at Harry for a moment before realising that he hadn't heard what she had said. She raised her hand, waved at him and called out, 'Harry!'

His head snapped up slightly, and his brow furrowed.

'W- What did you say?' Harry asked. Hermione frowned at him, wondering what had distracted him to the point of not listening to her. She discretely checked over her shoulder, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

'I said, we'll go to Godric's Hollow.'

'Oh. Okay then. When do you think we should go?'

'Today.'

Hermione's eyes held no trace of sadness any more. There was only fear that Harry could see in them.

A/N: I'm back! This story is going to be longer than my other ones, so it will take longer to write.