7

Harry went back into the tent, Hermione following behind him closely. Wondering how she was going to tell him that she had picked him, she really did want to tell him. Wanted to beg his forgiveness for pulling away from him all those times and make amends for hurting him. She wanted him to tell her that he loved him, wanted to hold him and pour her heart out to him.

Now, problem number one: would he believe her? After all that would he trust her to know that she loved him? Would he think she just wanted to have someone to hold her and love her because Ron was not here? She sighed and watched him get ready for bed. Problem number two: same thing as problem one only reversed. Hermione was getting a headache from this and knuckled her temples to relieve the pressure.

His shirt was off and she once again faced with the man she loved being topless in an almost scandalous way. It was not at all proper for a young man to undress in front of a lady. Although this time, since there was nowhere else for him to go, he had no choice.

She wanted to touch him, wanted to hold him, but did not know how to go about it. Should she go up and grab onto him? No, too wanton and awkward besides, but then she could think of no other way. So, she walked up and kissed him, he wasted no time kissing her back, holding her closer. Hermione knew that if she stopped now he would leave and never come back. But this time she had no intention of pulling away. No thoughts of Ron would make her pull away tonight, no heartache for the man that left her. Just Harry and her and their love, and the Yuletide season casting its soft warmth with the beauty of the fallen snow.

"Hermione…" Harry whispered as she held onto the back of his head, "What are you doing?"

"Shh, I love you." She whispered.

Harry pulled back for a moment looking at her with surprise written in his eyes, wide-eyed with something like shock. It was fleeting though; He reached up and pulled her down to him for a kiss, holding him in place as well when she kissed him back Hermione reveled in how warm he was. Harry brought one arm around her like a brace as he leaned back on the sleeping bag, pulling her down on the bed. He grabbed her hair, with the other hand and tugged it back to let the tie she wore loose so her wavy brown hair fell down to the small of her back. Harry ran his fingers through the thick mop, she giggled when he grabbed onto her neck.

"What?" she asked.

Harry shook his head and kissed her fully, rolling over so she was underneath him. He took of his glasses, tossing them to the side as though they meant nothing to him. Indeed, they did not; all that mattered to him now was the girl in his arms. It seemed like they had been in love forever as he reached to tug of his shirt and jacket but having a rather hard time of it because of his clumsy hands. Hermione laughed and pushed his hands aside, reaching up with her own she unfastened one of the buttons after the other. Her hands tangled in the vines of black hair of his chest.

The night was closing in on them, faster and faster, the light dribbling away along with their senses. Harry sat up and Hermione positioned herself to straddle him. He let out a long, throaty groan, thick with so many emotions that he was oblivious to all else. She smiled, nipping his neck with little love-bites, smiling when he lifted his neck to give her better access.

"Hermione… are you sure you want to…" he faltered.

"Shh," Hermione put her index finger to his lips to quiet him, "Harry, its Christmas and I want to share it with you. Please, don't argue with me." She leaned down to kiss him again.

"But Ron…" Harry whispered.

"Is not here, now shush." She said and kissed him, "I need this, I need to be in your arms, I love you and I don't know when I'll be able to hold you again." She said.

Just then Harry forgot all his reservations, gentlemanliness cast away as he realized that when he looked in her eyes he saw no deception. No, loss, no grief for the man who had left her, only love. Love and fear that she might never hold him again. He brought one arm around her, shackling her to him.

"Let's make love." He whispered.

"Yes." She replied.

Love-scene coming next please review.