DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, AND I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.
WARNING: SEXUAL CONTENT.
Chapter 7
Harry watched as Hermione turned her head left and right. She looked at Harry and Ron, trying to gauge their level of anger and frustration. Ron was still his trademark red, Harry's breathing heavy.
'Well, Hermione?' said Ron, crossing his arms over his chest.
'She going to pick Ron. After everything she's said, she's got to pick Ron,' thought Harry.
Hermione's head continued swivelling, biting her lip. Harry angled his head slightly, admiring Hermione's lips.
'That looks hot.'
'Ron, I-'
Before Hermione could finish speaking Ron had thrown his arms into the air as if he had just won Wimbledon. He kept up his celebrating by jumping up and down slightly on the spot. Harry slumped. He felt his whole body sagging and fell down onto his bed, his head in his hands.
Hermione was still facing Ron.
'Ron!' The redhead stopped dancing. 'I love Harry.'
Harry's head shot up, and he was on his feet within seconds. He swept across the space, in a manner that would have made Snape proud, and was beside Hermione in a heartbeat. His hand was hanging limply next to hers, and she entwined her fingers with his.
In that instant Harry knew that Hermione had listened to everything he had said to her about their relationship and how they should be selfish. She had finally made up her mind.
'What? What do you mean you love Harry?' Ron bellowed. He moved closer to the new couple. 'Hermione, I thought you loved me? What about all the times we've had together? And anyway, the day I came back and destroyed the Horcrux you said yourself that you didn't love Harry!'
Hermione scoffed. 'What times? Ron, I have never said I loved you! We've never kissed! We've only hugged a few times, and none of those have been particularly recent! And you're right, I did say I didn't love Harry. But I didn't say I don't love Harry. The choice of ones words is very important.'
Now it was Hermione's turn to be angry. Harry gripped her hand tighter, trying to offer her silent support. He knew she would want to fight this battle alone.
'Ron I didn't want to hurt your feelings because you're our friends! That's why this happened! If you had come back a day later, Harry and I would have been together! We kissed the night before as well, and you would've had to accept it then like you'll have to now.'
Ron was shaking his head.
'How could she do that to me? Why the fuck was Hermione leading me on, when she just said she loved Harry since before I was back?'
Harry and Hermione could see Ron's brain trying to process this information. Harry decided that this would be the best time to surreptitiously whisper to Hermione.
'Are you okay?'
She turned her head to the side slightly and whispered back, 'Yeah, thanks for letting me talk.'
Ron broke the moment by loudly proclaiming, 'So you two are in love?'
'Yes, Ron,' answered Hermione, 'and I l know that you liked me before Harry did, but I'm not going to be in a relationship that I'm not happy in, with a person I don't love or one that doesn't love me.'
'Wait! What do you mean I don't love you? How the fuck would you know?' Ron shouted.
Harry didn't think it was necessary to step in front of Hermione. Although Ron looked very angry, Harry was sure that he wouldn't do anything to hurt Hermione. Verbally abuse her yes, but there would be no physical contact.
'Ron, how could you love me? Love is about seeing people for who they really are, and what their personality is like. You don't think I'm very good looking and you were always making fun of me for wanting to learn. Why do you think I came to the conclusion that you don't love me?'
Hermione paused, running the hand that wasn't still holding Harry's through her hair.
'I think that you just loved the idea of me. You loved the idea of having a girlfriend. And because we've known each other for seven years that's why I'm the one in that fantasy. And that's all it was Ron, a fantasy.'
Harry's earlier assumptions couldn't have been more wrong. As soon as Hermione had finished speaking Ron had lunged forward, clearing the two meters between them with a speed that Harry didn't think Ron was capable of. Harry couldn't react quick enough to stop Ron's advance.
Ron pulled his fist back and then punched forward.
He connected with Hermione's jaw, sending her to the floor. Harry was only aware that Hermione was seriously hurt when she relinquished his hand. In an instant Harry had regained control of his body and raised his hands to attack Ron.
Harry didn't expect what happened next though. Ron was thrown across the tent and crashed to the floor, landing on his back. Harry sprinted the distance to Ron and jumped on him. The only thing driving Harry was his anger. Anger at Ron for daring to attack Hermione, and then actually hitting her.
'I'm going to kill you. You miserable fuck!'
Harry's fists connected with Ron's face and torso. He was pounding his face into a bloody mess. The crimson liquid leaked out of his nose and the corners of his mouth. Harry only knew Ron was still alive because of the feeble gurgling noises emanating from Ron. He wasn't sure if it was his own uncontrolled wandless magic or the fact that Ron was probably half dead, that was causing Ron to not fight back.
Hermione slowly pushed herself off the floor, pressing her hand to her mouth. She looked down and saw her own blood on her fingers. Twisting around on the floor, Hermione saw Harry kneeling over Ron. Her eyes widened in shock as Harry continued to smash his fists into Ron.
She got to her feet, and swayed for a second. Hermione shook her head and rushed forward.
'Harry! Stop it! Stop!'
Hermione reached Harry and wrapped her arms around his middle. She pulled him as hard as she could until Harry eventually fell off Ron and landed with his back pressed to Hermione's chest. She was sat on the floor cradling Harry as he stared at Ron. Hermione could almost feel that Harry was readying himself for another round.
They watched as Ron began to stir and then sit up. Harry loosened Hermione's arms and pushed them off him. Ron staggered to his feet and looked at the couple sprawled on the floor. He looked shocked more than anything else. For a second Harry was sure he was going to have to fight again, but then Ron turned away.
He walked quickly to his bed and grabbed his bag. He stuffed his clothes into it and then almost ran to the tent entrance. Just before he left Ron glanced over his shoulder at Harry and Hermione.
Neither of them were looking at him. Instead they were staring at the place where Ron had just been laying.
Without saying a word, Ron walked out of Harry and Hermione's lives for the third time.
The gust of wind that rushed through the tent as the opening flapped around brought Hermione to her senses. She moved her head so her lips were next to Harry's ear.
'Harry? Darling, are you okay?'
Hermione's words registered very slowly in Harry's brain. His eyes were still fixated on the point where Ron had been only moments before. He took a deep breath and leaned his head to the right, gently resting it against Hermione's.
Harry felt Hermione pressing her soft lips into his cheek as his gaze fell to his bloody hands. He didn't see as much blood as he expected, especially as he had hit Ron a considerable amount of times.
But as his eyes travelled up his chest, and passed Hermione's hands, he saw a crimson stain on his shoulder. Harry spun around in Hermione's arms, kneeling before her. His hands came up to her face as he saw the source of the blood.
The corner of Hermione's mouth was bleeding, the red substance dripping off her chin. Harry stood up, pulling Hermione with him.
'Hermione, your mouth...' Harry said in a ghostly whisper.
Hermione gave Harry a small smile and placed her hands in his.
'Harry, I'm fine. Really, I'm fine,' she said.
Harry shook his head at her words and removed his hands from hers. He reached up placed his hand on her cheek, stroking Hermione's soft skin with his thumb. He could see a small bruise beginning to form near the split in her lip. Instead of reaching for his wand Harry just willed his magic to pour out of the hand still on Hermione's cheek. He didn't know how or why he knew it would work, but the blood retracted and the split healed. The bruise steadily disappeared, and Harry lowered his hand to Hermione's waist.
The emotions they were both feeling mirrored the night they had first kissed. They were standing extremely close, with barely a few inches between their faces. Harry could feel Hermione's breath quicken, tickling his lips.
Her eyes were locked to his, as if she was staring straight into his soul. Harry blinked once.
He moved towards Hermione, simultaneously reaching up with one hand to hold the back of her head, his other placed just above her bum. Harry captured Hermione's lips in the searing kiss he had been desperate for. She gasped at the intensity and Harry grasped the opportunity and ran his tongue over her bottom lip, silently asking for entry.
Hermione granted Harry's request, opening her mouth. Her own tongue immediately darting out to meet Harry's and engaging it straight away. They danced in each other's mouths for what seemed like the longest amount of time, both of them breathing through their noses in a desperate bid to keep the kiss alive.
They knew that this was their first true kiss, and neither wanted it to end. Eventually Harry and Hermione had to concede defeat to the need to breathe properly, and gently broke apart.
Hermione was the first to speak, 'Thanks, Harry,' she said, a small smile gracing her lips.
'That's okay,' Harry said, grinning again. He leaned his head forward again and kissed Hermione. It wasn't as desperate or passionate as before, but it still took the breath from them. When they broke apart once more Hermione stepped away from Harry and sat on her bed.
Harry followed, sitting down next to her and putting his arms around her. He then pulled her onto his lap, where Hermione immediately nestled herself into his chest.
'What about Ron?' Hermione said, not looking up from Harry's chest.
'What about him?' Harry replied nonchalantly.
'What if he gets hurt or-' Hermione began but Harry cut her off.
'Hermione, let's not worry about Ron anymore. He's gone, it was his decision. We didn't ask him to leave,' Hermione nodded into Harry as he spoke, 'and anyway, I for one don't care if he gets hurt. He hurt my Mione, and if anyone even tries to do that to you again, they're going to find themselves in for a whole new level of pain.' Harry placed a gentle kiss on the top of Hermione's head.
She looked up at him, a glimmer in her eyes and a smile playing on her lips.
'Mione?' she said, her smile now fully formed. Harry beamed at her too, tightening his arms slightly.
'Yeah, it's short for Hermione,' Harry said.
'I know it's short for Hermione. But when did you decide you would call me that?'
'Er, about five seconds ago? It just struck me, there's got to be an easier name to call you,' Hermione's eyes narrowed, thinking that Harry was insulting her name. Harry quickly picked up on Hermione's change in demeanour. 'Not that Hermione isn't a lovely name, because it is. It's just that saying Mione is quicker,' Hermione's eyes were returning to normal, 'and it's a name only I will use for, because you're special to me and I love you.'
Hermione was beaming again and she raised her hand pulling Harry's face down to hers. Their lips locked and their tongues met.
After spending a few minutes kissing, Hermione decided they should move and stood up, leaving Harry's lap.
'We should move Harry. If Ron's somehow captured and his captors make him tell them were we are, then we could be getting a visit from someone other than Ron,' Hermione said wisely.
Harry stood from Hermione's bed and placed a brief kiss on her lips, and then said, 'That's another reason I love you.'
Hermione smiled and said, 'Right, I'll pack up our belongings in my bag and you wait outside.'
Harry did as he was told and left Hermione to pack up. He left the tent and felt the stiff night breeze on his face. He ran his hand along his rough jaw, feeling the length of his stubble and looked up, only able to see a few stars through the canopy of trees.
He only had to wait a few minutes before Hermione was at his side. She didn't say anything until Harry had brought his eyes down from the stars to meet hers.
'What were you thinking about?' Hermione asked, taking hold of Harry's left hand.
Harry shrugged. 'Just about the Horcruxes. We have to get three more. The cup, something of Ravenclaws or Gryffindors, plus something else. We're only halfway through this journey, Mione, and I've got no idea of where to look next.'
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and said, 'We'll be able to do it, Harry. It's not going to be any easier now that there's only the two of us, but we've still got to try, and we will do it, Harry.'
He heard the determination in her voice and he pulled out his wand. Harry waved it and the tent shrunk to a tiny size, small enough to fit in Harry's palm. He summoned it and placed it in Hermione's bag, which she was holding open. She drew the strings around the opening and slung it over her shoulder.
'Where are we going?' Harry asked her, holding onto her hand tighter, anticipating apparition
'Suffolk, there's a forest there,' Hermione said. Almost before she had finished speaking Hermione pulled Harry along with her. He felt the tight steel bands wrapping around his body, and he decided that if he had a choice of what crushed him to death, he would rather it be one of Hermione's hugs.
Barely a few seconds later they were in front of a huge sign, illuminated by several electrical lights.
'Er, Mione, is this Suffolk? And since when did a forest have electricity?' Harry's eyes wandered around the area they had landed in. Looking down he saw tarmac and once his eyes had adjusted to the dark, he could see a small log cabin with a sign on the front saying arrivals.
'This is a forest, Harry,' Hermione said. Harry turned to face her again.
'Then why is that there,' he pointed at the cabin, 'and why does it say arrivals?'
'This is a muggle holiday resort. It's called Center Parcs, and it's basically a village in a forest. There are loads of small houses that they stay at, and everyone cycles around instead of using cars.'
Harry watched as Hermione bent down and gathered a few stones and twigs. Completely bemused Harry said nothing. Hermione stood up and looked around, checking to see if anyone was watching them. When she had clarified that there wasn't anyone near them, she pulled out her wand and transfigured the stones and twigs into three suitcases.
'Take two,' Hermione said, motioning towards the suitcases. Harry picked them up by the handles and pulled them along using the wheels. They began to move towards the cabin.
As they were getting closer to the cabin Harry whispered urgently, 'So why are we here?'
'Because it will be more comfortable than staying in the tent,' they were only metres away from the cabin and Harry could see an open window and a silhouette inside, 'and they have double beds.'
Hermione gave Harry a meaningful look, and hurried to the window. Harry quickly caught up to her after he had recovered from her quip, and caught her saying, 'Hi, do you have any one bedroom accommodation available?'
As Harry reached Hermione's side he saw that the person inside the cabin was a man, and he was reminded of the muggle that had run the camp site at the Quidditch world cup, Mr. Roberts.
'It's quite late, check-in hours were a long time ago, why didn't you get here sooner?' The man was looking suspiciously at the pair of them.
'There was horrible traffic, we were stuck in a jam for five hours. My parents dropped us off. They're sending us on a week away, to see if we can look after ourselves and prepare for university,' Hermione answered effortlessly.
Harry could only marvel at Hermione's ability to think on the spot.
'Bloody hell, I can't imagine what crap I would've spewed if I was the one doing the talking,' thought Harry.
The man frowned for a second before accepting Hermione's story. Harry turned away from Hermione as she began to pay the man, and began to study the dark forest. He couldn't see anything of interest within the trees and when he turned around he found Hermione holding a key and a torch.
'Shall we go?' she asked with a smile. Harry held out his arm and she laced hers through it as they began to make there way down the road towards the main village.
'So how long are we going to be staying here for?' Harry asked Hermione. as they walked passed an expansive car park.
'Just for a few days. I just thought we could do with a bit more comfort, you don't mind do you?'
'Of course not, Mione, it'll be nice sleeping in a proper bed,' Harry replied, kissing Hermione's temple.
They continued walking in silence, only talking when Hermione was answering one of Harry's many questions about the muggle holiday park. She had told him the log cabins everyone lived in were separated into three categories, villas, lodges and tree houses.
'Which one of the three are we in?' Harry asked.
'We are in the tree house,' Hermione said, brushing her lips against Harry's cheek.
'How much did it cost?' Harry didn't want Hermione to spend all of her muggle money just so they could stay in a comfy bed.
'Let's just say that the tree house is the most expensive.'
When they came into sight of their new home for the week, Harry realised that Hermione had probably spent a lot of money. The place was practically a mansion, with wooden walkways and staircases on the exterior leading to the doors.
Harry and Hermione slowly walked up the main walkway to the front door. When they reached it Hermione unlocked it and they stepped inside. They were met with a view of a curving wooden staircase, an open plan kitchen, complete with all the appliances and the lounge, containing two sofas, two plush leather chairs and a wood burning fire. There was a large, slim chalk board spanning the length of a thin wall, separating the lounge and the kitchen.
Hermione dropped her suitcase and walked through the lounge and to the door on the other side. She peeked her head around and saw a bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Returning to Harry, who had dropped his suitcases as well, they moved up the spiral staircase and entered the master bedroom.
Hermione let out a gasp, at seeing the space before her. There was a floor to ceiling wardrobe, as well as a set of glass double doors leading to a balcony overlooking the surrounding forest. From the balcony they could see a hot tub on the patio at the back of the tree house.
'Harry, we should go to bed,' Hermione said, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin on his shoulder.
'You go and get ready, I'll set up the sneakoscopes. We can't ward the place, there are too many muggles around. I think they would notice if the biggest house here suddenly disappeared.'
Hermione let go of Harry and walked off, making sure Harry's eyes were drawn to her bum as he had turned around, resting on the balcony. Harry smiled to himself at Hermione's attempt at a sexy walk. He knew that she didn't have to try anything to make him think she was sexy, but Harry understood that Hermione wanted to feel good about herself.
'She's been ignored almost her whole life by guys. I should always make a show of checking her out when I can. I'm sure she'll feel better for it,' thought Harry.
He waited for Hermione to get her things from her bag that was now on the bed and disappear to the bathroom. Harry opened the beaded bag and summoned his sneakoscopes. He charmed them to ignore any muggle signatures and then set about placing them around the tree house.
Returning to the bedroom, Harry decided to place wards on the room, just as an extra precaution. Then he changed into his pyjamas, daringly deciding to only wear his shorts. He sat on the bed nervously, waiting for Hermione to finish brushing her teeth and washing her face. Harry thought she would wait until tomorrow to have a bath, and he was proved right when Hermione exited the bathroom.
Harry looked over his shoulder and gave her a nervous smile. She pulled the covers off and slipped inside. Harry stood and took his turn in the bathroom.
As he entered he saw a large bath, a shower with a glass door, a toilet and an expansive sink. Standing at the sink he found his toothbrush already there, Hermione had obviously left it for him. He brushed his teeth and when he had finished he looked into the mirror. Opening a cupboard next to the mirror he found an electric razor, Harry quickly shaved off his rapidly growing beard.
He admired his now clean shaven face and began to think about the nights assumed sleeping arrangements.
'Why am I getting nervous about sleeping in the same bed as Hermione? She my girlfriend, and we love each other, so what's the problem? I suppose I know what the problem is...' Harry dropped his head.
'I don't want to get hard and scare her. But that means either that by some miracle I manage to stop it from happening and there isn't a problem, not likely, or I tell her there's a high possibility that it happens and that I didn't want it to happen. No! I can't say that! What if she think I'm just with her for sex? Wait, this is Hermione, she'll understand. I hope,' Harry thought.
He stood at the door, took a breath and opened it. Hermione was laying on her side, staring at the door. She smiled as Harry left the bathroom and got into bed next to her. He felt the warmth of her body next to his and she moved closer to him, snuggling her head into his chest. Harry instinctively put his arm around her shoulders, holding Hermione closer to him.
'Mione, can I ask you something?' Harry couldn't see her face, so he wouldn't be able to read her reaction unless she moved. If that happened Harry knew he was probably in trouble.
'Mmhmm,' was Hermione's reply.
'There's a possibility that I might get a, er, an erection,' Harry mumbled.
'I know, baby, that doesn't bother me,' she said.
Harry was taken aback. He had thought that Hermione would be at least shocked, but she seemed to have accepted it.
'It- It doesn't bother you?'
'No. You're a teenage boy, and your body is supposed to react that way. It doesn't bother me, in fact, it's nice to know that you find me attractive.'
Harry pulled her closer and kissed Hermione's forehead as she adjusted her position.
'Thanks, Hermione.'
She wriggled around until she was comfortable and they fell into silence. Hermione fell asleep quickly, using Harry as a pillow. He didn't fall asleep as quickly, not because he was uncomfortable, but because he couldn't get over the fact that he was sharing a bed with Hermione.
The sun streamed through the doors leading to the balcony. Hermione stirred, her hand running over Harry's smooth skin. She lifted her head from Harry's chest and saw that his eyes were still closed; his hair all over the place. She could feel Harry's legs entwined with her own. Looking back down at Harry's body, Hermione slowly ran her hand down passed his navel, and over the trail of hair that disappeared into his shorts. As she reached the waistband Hermione managed to control her curiosity, and brought her hand back up to his chest.
She pressed her ear to his body, listening to his heart. The quiet beating soothed her to the point that she fell asleep again. She awoke again and found that Harry was still sleeping. Hermione glanced at the clock on the bedside table, where Harry had put his glasses.
It was eleven thirty. Hermione rolled off Harry and propped herself up on her elbows. She started to place small kisses on his face. Hermione kissed Harry's cheeks, his chin, his forehead and when he started to wake up, his lips.
His eyes flickered open, 'Mione, what're you doing?' he said groggily.
'Kissing you good morning,' she said, continuing to kiss him as he sat up. Harry looked at the clock and then at Hermione, who had backed up a bit and was sitting with her hands in her lap. He swung his legs out of bed and stretched, then walked over to the door to the balcony, throwing them open. The pleasant morning breeze swept into the room, bringing with it the smell of the fresh forest.
'Harry?' He heard Hermione speak from the bed.
'Yeah,' he said without turning around.
'I was wondering if we could do something,' Hermione said.
Harry was curious as to what Hermione was thinking about, and turned around to face her, leaning against the balcony in much the same way as he had done the previous night.
'What did you have in mind?'
'That we should have a bath,' she paused, 'together.'
'What? As in, we're in it at the same time?' Harry walked back into the bedroom, laying on his back on the bed, and letting his head fall backwards, Hermione now upside down to his eyes.
'Yeah, if you don't mind that is. I mean you've-' She stopped. Harry looked at her quizzically from his upside down position.
'I've what?' Harry asked rolling onto his stomach.
Hermione played with her fingers, ducking her head out of what Harry assumed was embarrassment, and looked at him through her eyelashes.
'You've seen me nude,' she said.
Talking without thinking wasn't something that Harry did a lot, but when he did and when he was talking about Hermione, it tended to come out much worse than he thought it would.
'I didn't ask to see you nude,' Harry said.
Hermione's head snapped up and she glared at Harry. He realised that his words had been taken the wrong way once again.
'Mione, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry, I just meant, I didn't ask you to take your clothes off. I- I- Mione I'm sorry. You're beautiful and I like looking at you, not that I was looking, but it was hard to not look. I tried to just turn around, but sometimes you would move and then I would see,' Harry gestured towards Hermione, 'you.'
Hermione's anger had disappeared and was replaced with a smile.
'Do you know how cute you are when you're falling over your words?'
'Er, no?'
Hermione laughed and pressed a kiss to his lips. She leapt off the bed and took hold of Harry's hands dragging him to the bathroom, picking up her wand on the way.
'Come on,' she said.
Entering the expansive bathroom she cast several charms at the bath, filling it with water, heating it and adding bubbles.
'Okay, we'll take our clothes off at the same time,' Hermione said, holding onto the bottom of her top after placing her wand on the side of the bath.
'But I'm only wearing shorts Mione. It's not fair if we go at the same time,' Harry said. With that Hermione pulled her shirt up and off. She wasn't wearing a bra, and Harry's eyes were drawn to her breasts. He moved forward, placing his hands on Hermione's waist, slightly pushing her flannel trousers down.
'Can I touch?' Harry asked. Hermione's response was to kiss him and Harry took that as a yes. His hands slowly trailed up her body and cupped her soft mounds. He squeezed and kneaded them, feeling Hermione's nipples beginning to stand up, pressing into his palms.
'Now come on Harry, at the same time,' Hermione said, after she had finished kissing him. Harry was aware that his loins were waking up and knew that it was only a matter of time before Hermione would be able to see how aroused she was making him.
'Three, two, one,' Hermione counted down. As soon as the Hermione's countdown finished they both pulled the clothes covering their lower halves down. Harry saw a patch of curly brown hair covering the area just above Hermione's nether region. She saw that Harry's manhood was half awake and she pulled him back to her, kissing him again.
She felt him between her legs as he became more aroused as their bodies came into contact. Breaking the kiss, Hermione turned away from Harry and stepped into the bath, then waited for him to follow. He raised his leg over the side and felt the warmth of the water running over his legs.
'You sit down first,' Hermione said. Harry lowered himself further into the bath, letting the water soak into his skin. When Harry was settled Hermione sat between his legs. The water line came up to the bottom of her breasts, and Harry reached around to cup them again, kissing her neck as she let her head rest on his shoulder.
'That feels nice, Harry,' she moaned. 'I take it you like it too?' It was obvious to Harry that Hermione could feel him pressing into the small of her back with his erect organ.
'Yeah, you're beautiful, Mione. I love you,' Harry said before he sucked on her soft neck.
'I love you too, darling.'
The couple continued to kiss, cuddle and explore the others body for another half an hour, Hermione casting the occasional charm to keep the water warm. They got out, dried each other off using the fluffy white towels in the bathroom, and went back to their bedroom. Both of them were still completely nude, and as Hermione bent over to retrieve her bag, Harry found her rather enjoyed the view of her round bum.
Hermione didn't noticed Harry's eyes on her behind and placed her bag on the bed. She removed Harry's clothes, passing them to him which caused her breasts to press together; Harry not complaining about the view again. He took them and got dressed as Hermione dressed too.
'Shall we get some lunch?' Hermione suggested. Harry nodded and followed her down the spiral staircase to the kitchen. Harry moved through the open plan space and pulled open a few cupboards, finding that they were fully stocked with food and drinks.
'Well, we're not going to starve,' he said. Hermione smiled at him and they decided to have a light lunch. Together they made tomato soup and sat down at the granite island to eat.
'Harry, how are we going to find the Horcruxes?' Hermione said, as she absently dunked some bread in her soup.
'Mione, I've thought of a way, but, you probably won't like it,' Harry said with a grimace. She ate her soup-covered bread and crossed her arms on the hard granite.
'What is it then?' she asked.
'I should try and look into You-Know-Who's mind,' Harry kept speaking so Hermione couldn't interrupt him as she opened her mouth. 'I know you don't like me doing it, but this might be the only way we're going to be able to find them. If he thinks about them, then I should be able to see where they are. And we have no evidence that says he knows when I'm inside his head,' Harry finished, making sure he covered all bases.
Hermione rubbed her temples and closed her eyes.
'Harry... Are you sure there's no other way?'
'Mione, if there was I would use it, trust me.'
Hermione nodded. Harry waited for her confirmation and closed his eyes. He reached out and searched for Voldemort. Within seconds he found him and was pulled into his subconscious.
Harry was in a dark room. The great snake, Nagini, was circling his bare feet. There was no one else, only him.
'Did the old fool find my Horcruxes? No, there was only ever one person that knew I was interested in them. But they're working at Hogwarts now, and Severus has informed me that Slughorn took a great interest in Potter last year. Is there a possibility that he told the boy about Horcruxes? It was near fifty years ago that I asked him, why would he remember? Especially as he had been so preoccupied with teaching this last year, and with Dumbledore dead there's no one to coax it out of him.'
'I have made six Horcruxes, splitting my soul into seven, the last piece remaining inside my body. The diary, in Lucius' possession, I need to get that back. The ring, hidden under my ancestor's shack, the locket, safely in the cave. The cup, Bellatrix's vault should hold that safely. The diadem, hidden within the deepest depths of Hogwarts. No one ever found the room of hidden things. And then of course there is Nagini...'
Harry withdrew from Voldemort's mind, not believing his own luck. He jumped up from his seat and rushed to the chalk board.
'Harry! Harry, what wrong?' Hermione called, rushing after him. He didn't reply, not wanting anything to stop him remembering what he had heard. He picked up the chalk and wrote furiously on the board, starting with the previously unknown Horcruxes first.
The diadem – Room of Requirement
The cup – Bellatrix Lestrange's vault
Nagini – With him
The locket – Gone
The ring – Gone
The diary – Long gone
Hermione stared at the words Harry was writing and when he dropped his arm and put down the chalk, she pulled him into the tightest hug she had ever given him. She kissed his cheek, saying, 'Oh Harry! This is brilliant! We've got the sword, and now we know where they are. Now the hard part is getting rid of them, but- Oh Harry!' she cried again, once more kissing him.
Harry now knew that the hardest part of their journey was complete. He was happy that Hermione was finally his girlfriend, and that they had discovered what the remaining Horcruxes were, and where they were located.
A/N: A longer chapter, because the last one was quite short. The poll is now closed. Fiction names it is! I'll probably just use my usual fiction name for Harry and Hermione's child. Leave a review, or don't. But that would make you a horrible person (Not really, you're lovely and thanks for reading :D).
Edit: I've just finished watching the Harry Potter Premiere Red Carpet event, and I can not put into words how emotional that was. And this is coming from someone who has never cried at films or books, but the speeches at the end from Dan, Rupert, Emma and of course our Queen, were remarkable, and had me in tears. They will stay with me forever. Just thought you'd ought to know. And that is the reason this is being posted now, on Thursday evening. We need to help keep Harry Potter alive, we need to keep writing fan fiction.
