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Chapter Seven
The first thing Harry became aware of was the feeling of warmth surrounding her. It was soothing and Harry felt the pull of it begging her to go deeper into unconsciousness. There was a light, however, coming into the room that was making it hard to obey that desire. Harry groaned and turned closer to the where the warmth was radiating in an attempt to get away from the light that was threatening her. She sighed feeling content as she felt arms pull her closer and she buried her head in the comfortable heat. And then her mind caught up with her.
Arms? She thought blinking herself awake.
Her head was heavy and her eyes were burning and it took a few seconds for Harry to adjust to her surroundings before she became aware that she was wrapped up in the arms of a sleeping George Weasley. Harry paused for a moment feeling confused before the events of the previous night came back to her. The game of truth, the comic, the kiss.
"Dammit!"
Harry shot up out of bed so quickly that she got tangled in the covers and crashed onto the floor.
"Harry!"
Whether it was from her cursing or the commotion of her falling to the floor George was awake now. He had climbed over the bed and was bending to help her. He had only managed to untangle the sheets from around her legs before she jumped up once more and ran out of the bedroom.
"Harry! Come back here and talk to me!"
But Harry wasn't listening as she ran towards the door to collect her belongings. Her mind was racing as was her heart.
We kissed, we kissed, we kissed. Ron's going to kill me.
"Harry," said George from directly behind her this time. He grabbed her by the elbow and turned her to face him. "What's going on?"
"We kissed!"
"What's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong with that?" repeated Harry yanking her elbow out of his grasp. "Ron! He's going to kill me! Or you...to be honest I'm really not sure who he would be most upset with!"
George looked unfazed by the prospect of his brother finding out and simply rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"I think Ron can handle it. We're both adults."
"I can't believe I feel asleep," continued Harry ignoring George's comment and forcefully putting her boots on her feet. "I haven't slept in months. Months! Stop grinning!"
George was smirking and stepping closer to Harry causing her to have her back against his door.
"Of course when I finally fall asleep it's at your flat," snapped Harry pointing a finger accusingly at him which came in contact with his chest for he had come even closer. "Don't- don't-"
But whatever Harry was going to tell George not to do was silenced as George swallowed the command in mid breath and kissed her once more. Unlike the sleepy kisses from the night before this was a more fierce kiss that caused Harry's knees to tremble and her whole body to hum. One of George's hands had tangled itself in her hair and the other was pressed against the wall by her head. The contact was almost too much and Harry felt as though her whole body were aflame. She whimpered into the kiss and Harry felt the way George's lips curved into a grin against hers. And just when Harry thought that she could take no more George pulled away. They stood there staring at one another for a few moments before George spoke.
"I like you, Potter. I like you a lot," said George moving his hands to cup her face and brushing her right cheek with his thumb. "And I think you like me too. Or at least that's what I'm getting from what just happened."
Harry just stared back at him breathing heavily. She couldn't find her voice and was almost certain he had swallowed it when he kissed her. Their kiss, his confession, her feelings, Ron. It was all too much for her to wrap her mind around right now. Although she wasn't sure this was something she could approach logically.
"Do you like me, Harry?"
Harry bit her lip still unable to speak but while there was a lot that she couldn't make sense of right now she did in fact know the answer to the question that he just asked. And so she nodded her head and George's face broke into the happiest smile Harry had seen him wear in such a long time.
"Then we'll figure this out. You and me," he said rubbing his thumb along her bottom lip now which she was still biting. "But fucking Merlin, do you have any idea how crazy your lip biting thing drives me?"
Without waiting on a response, not that Harry was sure she could even form one, he captured her lips in a kiss once more and caught her bottom lip in between his own teeth sucking on it lightly. Harry was thankful for his body pressing her against the door because she wasn't certain this time around that she could hold herself up.
The moment Harry's feet had touched the grounds at Hogwarts she had not stopped running. It was nearing lunch time and the fear of what Ron would do to her for snogging his brother had been replaced with the fear of what Hermione was going to do to her for never returning back to their dorm. Not only had she fallen asleep but she had completely lost track of time this morning thanks to George. Thankfully Harry's only morning class was Potions which was an independent study and therefore her absence wouldn't be noted but she knew that still wouldn't save her from Hermione.
She ran past several first years who stopped to gawk at her, past several portraits where apparently Sir Cadogan had been visiting who had mistaken her running to mean that the castle was under attack once more and therefore decided to sprint with her letting while out battle cries, and finally rounded the corner to her common room where she stopped to catch her breath.
"The battle takes place in your own fortress!" cried Sir Cadogan brandishing his sword at the portrait guarding her dorm. "Open up Hamnet!"
Hamnet, the portrait which guarded Harry's new quarters, looked unperturbed by Cadogan nor his sword that he was swinging about in every direction.
"There's no battle!"
"Miss Potter speaks the truth. But even if there was," said Hamnet cooly to Sir Cadogan, "you certainly would be of no help."
"Is that a wisecrack towards me, Shakespeare? Prepare yourself-"
"Cymbeline!" cried Harry giving the password before the brawl between the two portraits got too carried away.
Harry darted into the common room and heard the sound of Sir Cadogan howling before the portrait shut fully behind her. She was thankful that the common room was empty save for Myrtle who was floating around above her. Everyone else seemed to be in class or out on the grounds.
"Hello Harry," purred Myrtle. "Aren't you quite the sight? Hair all disheveled, cheeks are red, and out of breath. Sounds like someone's been up to something."
Myrtle cackled and swooped down so she was at eye level with Harry to get a better look.
"I just-I just needed to come get a book before lunch so I wouldn't be late for Charms."
"You're lying. You're wearing the same clothes as yesterday and, oh look, your bottom lip appears to be swollen. You've been up to something and I doubt it has anything to do with stopping a Dark Lord this time around."
Myrtle burst into giggles and circled Harry. Harry opened her mouth to tell Myrtle precisely where she could shove her accusations when she stopped and decided to take a different approach.
"You're right Myrtle," said Harry leaning in and whispering to the ghost even though no one was around. "I have been up to something."
Myrtle's only response to this was a shriek and Harry and to force herself to not cover her ears.
"Be since we are such good friends. Maybe we can keep this between us, yeah? Our own little secret?"
The expression on Myrtle's face changed at once and Harry could see the thrill spreading across her features.
"A secret," said Myrtle becoming very still. "A secret between girlfriends?"
I hate that word.
"Yes exactly. A secret between...girlfriends."
"I've never had a friend before. Nonetheless a friend to share secrets with."
Harry held her breath as Myrtle mulled over the possibilities. The last thing Harry needed was Myrtle to share the current state she found Harry in with the student body, but she certainly didn't want word getting around to the Headmistress for fear of her putting a stop to her sneaking out.
"Very well," said Myrtle looking excited. "I will keep this secret."
Harry felt her whole body relax and she let out a sigh.
"Thanks, Myrtle. I owe you one."
"Don't forget that, Harry Potter."
And with that warning Myrtle drifted through the wall behind them leaving Harry alone to ponder over what she had gotten herself into.
"Okay, tell me everything."
Hermione had made up an excuse to Ron as to why Harry was not at breakfast (all either of them had to say was "woman troubles" and Ron would turn red and implore them to go no further). Harry could tell Hermione wasn't happy with her but couldn't voice so in front of Ron. But Harry hadn't found the chance to explain to Hermione why she had been missing. She had quickly changed into her school uniform and joined them both at lunch but Harry and Hermione hadn't had a moment alone until after classes when they returned to their dorm.
"He kissed me."
"What?"
Harry saw the urge to scold her for being gone disappear from Hermione's face. She had been right to dive right into it, she thought.
"We were playing our truth game and I asked him what he would do if he could do anything and - well- I guess what he wanted to do most was kiss me and he sort of just went for it. And then we sort of kept on kissing and then I fell asleep."
"You fell asleep in the middle of kissing him?"
"We both fell asleep! And it was after several kisses. But I don't understand! It was the first time I remember feeling tired since the summer and then I just passed out."
"Perhaps you finally felt comfortable enough to sleep. There was no fear and it came naturally," said Hermione looking thoughtful.
"Maybe," said Harry shrugging.
"Well, how was the kiss?"
"Last nights kiss was soft and there was no hurry. It was like we were trying to memorize each other's lips."
Hermione sighed and leaned forward from where she was sitting on her bed, looking dreamy once more. Harry blushed but kept going.
"This mornings kiss however- oh Merlin. It was passionate and he was just such a man. Do you know that we've grown into adults now? Because I didn't realize it - not fully- until this morning. The way he just took me. It was just something a man would do and it was the first time I ever felt like a woman. Like someone saw me as a woman."
"Well, what are you going to do now?"
"I have no idea! He said we would figure it out. But I'm just not ready to tell Ron yet because George and I haven't even had a proper chance to talk everything over. We kind of started snogging again this morning before we could. Although I was in a panicky state so that was probably the only way he was going to get me to be calm…"
"I don't like keeping things from Ron but I agree that it's best to not tell him until you're ready. But Harry, I'm so happy for you. You deserve this after everything. But-"
"Oh boy."
"I am not happy with the position you put me in. I didn't know if something had happened to you! You could have been hurt or-"
Harry tuned Hermione's lecture out and her mind drifted back to George and their kiss in his flat. Harry had never been kissed that way before. In a way that left her head spinning long after the kiss had ended. There had been a few kisses with Dean Thomas in fifth year but that had never progressed into anything and then he began dating Ginny the year after. George seemed more experienced than her in that area. While he seemed to know exactly what he was doing, she fared well to keep herself upright.
"Harry!"
"Huh?" sputtered Harry focusing back on Hermione who was standing overtop of her now.
"Honestly, you aren't even listening to me. I said it's time for dinner and then Quidditch afterwards. Ron will probably be wondering why it took us so long to change out of our robes."
Harry jumped up grinning. What she needed was a good distraction from everything to clear her head. And there was nothing that Quidditch couldn't take her mind off of.
"Okay so we'll rotate captains each week. This week Draco and I will captain. Ginny, Parvati, and Hannah you lot will be with me as Chasers. Dean and Seamus you're my Beaters. Ron's my Keeper and I'll be the seeker of course.
Luna, Padma, and Lavender you'll be Draco's Chasers. Neville and Dennis you'll be Beaters. Astoria Greengrass here has agreed to play Keeper and Draco will be seeker. And there you have it. Any questions?"
Harry looked around at the excited faces. She had tried to place as many open minded people on Draco's team as possible. He had put up a fight about even joining, much less captaining team. He was convinced no one would be willing to play for him but Harry had found several people that were eager for the chance to "forge house unity" or some rubbish. Astoria Greengrass had actually approached Harry in the hall after Charms and asked specifically if she could play and be on Draco's team. Harry was thankful because without her Hermione would have to assume the position and Harry and Hermione both agreed that she was safer in the stands. Which is where she currently was reading a book. She peered up and waved at Harry when she sensed her watching her.
"Alrigh' there Harry?"
Hagrid had just come down to the pitch and was looking just as excited as the rest of Harry's classmates.
"Hello Hagrid!" called Harry cheerfully.
"I'm so glad yeh did this Harry. I told 'em myself - it ain't righ' to not let yeh play. It's in yer blood."
"Let's go Harry!" called Seamus waving her over. Together with Dean he had pulled out the equipment they were allowed to borrow.
"Come on Hagrid, you can release the balls!"
After everyone was settled and a few people had been explained to more than once what their position entailed, Harry watched as Hagrid released the balls. The Bludgers whipped wildly around while the Snitch flew out of sight.
"Alrigh' most importan' thing is ter have fun," said Hagrid and then he threw the Quaffle into the air.
Harry watched as Ginny grabbed the Quaffle first and the game was off. It was the most relaxed game of Quidditch Harry had ever played with the most inexperienced group of players Harry had ever played with. Ginny tossed the Quaffle to Parvati who dropped it and burst into giggles when her sister caught it from under her. Harry, sensing that the people in the Chaser position would need to get their bearings about them, decided to take a few laps for fun around the pitch. Draco had apparently thought of the same thing and was zooming at a moderate pace and met Harry high in the air.
"I think it's going to take more than a few games to make Quidditch players out of this lot," he said but Harry noticed the way his eyes were lit up.
"I think it's safe for us to do our own thing for a bit. Want to try a few dives?"
"You're on Potter."
Harry was enjoying the feeling of being on a broom again. She hadn't been on one since the incident in the Room of Requirement. She carried herself higher into the air and then fell into a dive. The force of the plunge, however, made her stomach drop in a way that she was not accustomed to. Instead of feeling a thrill from it she almost felt sick. As she was pulling herself out of the dive her head began to spin and her equilibrium felt off.
How odd.
"Alright there, Potter?"
Draco seemed to notice her state and Harry felt the urge to call out to him and tell him that she wasn't sure she was alright. But her vision was swimming and she couldn't see which Draco was the right one. Harry felt her body teetering towards the side of her broom. She felt so very weak all of a sudden. She thought to herself that perhaps she should land to be safe but the mechanics of how to work the broom suddenly felt foreign to her. Harry peered down at the ground to try to will herself into remembering how to land when she suddenly felt herself slipping and then she felt herself plummeting down, down, down, to the ground. The last thing Harry heard before everything went black was screaming.
